NAC Orchestra - L’Orchestre du CNA Tickets

The performance Friday evening was astounding. Beautifully given, the conductor and first chair are a treat to watch. The music was enthralling.

Attended at the NAC after missing several concerts last year. In an attempt to expand my musical experiences I thought that booking a 50 Year Celebration would showcase the best but also the road going forward with the present demographics in mind. This was not the case. I found the musical numbers boring, drawn out. Patience failed and I ended up leaving early. You'd think that the conductor would observe the audience and consider who would ultimately continue to dedicate themselves to attend his concerts and what would convince them to return. In my opinion the concert was only dedicated to the past with a dismal perspective of the future.

as were the orchestra & chorus. As a piece, I’m a sucker for the 1 minute of Dies irae that repeats 3 times.

Not really what we expected. A bit too focused on two people two did a disproportional amount of work. One was in first half and one in second half. In my humble opinion, the other people were the one's I was most impressed with. Also, does a conductor really need several standing ovations and rounds of clapping? Really? No.

The chorus was excellent and the soloists were perfect. Unfortunately it was the first time my husband and I had been to the newly renovated NAC. It was difficult to find our way around inside as we had come early to get a bite to eat- just a snack not a full dinner. Perhaps we were too early as the snack bar wasn’t open and we didn’t know where it was located. When we did get something at last, there were no tables and chairs, only benches, which was very awkward to manage with coffee and sandwiches. Thank you

It was an amazing performance. We brought our 13 year old daughter and she enjoyed it very much. Great family evening out.

Amazing acoustics of the renovated NAC and a momentous performance of Beethoven's Eroica symphony by Alexandre Shelley and the NAC orchestra, what an unforgettable evening!

I loved the opening night of 2018-2019 season of the NAC Orchestra, conducted by Alexander Shelley. The ensemble is great, the conductor as well. Looking forward to repeating this pleasant experience.

We traveled from Ithaca, NY to see the first two nights of the Beethoven cycle performed by the NAC Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Shelley. The entire experience was incredible! The pre-show talks were informative, the concerts themselves were riveting and the new orchestra shell added nuances to the sound that had not been possible before. Our two evenings made many memories for us. Thank you NACO and Maestro Shelley!

Stephen Hough has magical fingers that just flew across the keys! The young Finnish conductor was a joy to watch and the orchestra was fabulous under his direction. Highly recommend it.

I would have appreciated knowing what the first half of the program was.

I Lost My Talk really was the most amazing and beautiful emotional show I have EVER attended at the NAC. I thank the Clark family and Alexander Shelly for having the foresight and passion for this first step in our Reconcilliation towards equality with the First Nations. I am truly greatfull for the opportunity to attend this wonderful event. It brought me to tears .

We very much enjoyed the performance. The choir was truly amazing. (they did have good material to work with LOL) The trumpet solos were fabulous as were the entire orchestra. We plan to return next year.

Excellent orchestra and quintet. Good assistance for hearing impaired,

I loved this event. I am a dance and theatre subscriber and occasionally go to see the orchestra, but I so often find it static and a bit dull in comparison with the other forms. I thought Shelley's program was a great idea - linking music and literature - and I loved his style. He gave a great intro to the pieces, didn't talk down, but helped to contextualize the works. His French is superb and I'm sure is much appreciated by the Francophone audience. The selection of works was good, program length just right, and the staging of Dream was wonderful - simple, but full of interest without detracting from the score. The singers were lovely and Colm Feore was...well, Colm Feore! I did not stay for the talk-back because I have become a bit allergic to them. They have been used in dance for years and one gets tired of the formula. However, I noticed quite a few people stayed, and I'm sure Shelley does a great job. I think we've got good things in store with this new conductor!

THE CHOIR WAS EXCELLENT! THE SOLOISTS PERFORMED WELL BUT ATTENTION TO DICTION MADE THE LYRICS UNINTELLIGIBLE - I SUPPOSE A SOPHISTICATED AUDIENCE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THEM. THE ORCHESTRA LACKED LIFE AND SAWED ITS WAY THROUGH MUCH OF THE PERFORMANCE. AN EXCEPTION TO THIS WAS THE SUPERB PLAYING OF THE PRINCIPLE BASSIST, ALWAYS SUPPORTING, BUT OCCASIONALLY OUTSHINING, THE SOLOISTS. THE ENTRY OF THE PERCUSSION AND BRASS BROUGHT A WELCOME NEW SOUND TO THE OTHERWISE UNINSPIRED PERFORMANCE. WORTHY OF ITS STANDING O - BUT ONLY IN OTTAWA.

We really enjoyed the performance. The soloists were superb - except for Phillipe Sly. I know he is a young performer and that he will mature with time. However, he read his manuscript throughout the entire evening. Even in his solos, he referred constantly to his music. The other soloists hardly ever looked at their music. Also, when people rose for the Hallelujah Chorus, Sly remained sitting until he finally looked up from his music. He then joined the audience standing. His singing was very good, but he never really connected with the audience.

Great musicians, great orchestra. Best of all the singer sounds just like Robert Plant

I grew up with much older brothers so my earliest musical experiences included Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Led Zeppelin and the suite of country and gospel music of my parents. Classical music came a little later at school. The arrangements and energy of the NACO with the cover artists was great. I was glad I went. It's not every day you get to experience what some would consider clashing musical genres together and spectacular. The addiion of the young contest winner was also very endearing.

The rock and roll of Led Zeppelin combined with the majesty of the National Arts Center orchestra was awesome. Randy Jackson kept the crowd very involved. We thoroughly enjoyed the show.