Helsinki native John Storgards will become the NACO’s eighth music director beginning in the 2026–2027 season.

John Storgards will be the next music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, it was announced early Wednesday. The Finnish maestro succeeds Alexander Shelley, whose departure was made public in May.

Storgards, a 61-year-old conductor and violinist, debuted with the Ottawa-based NACO in 2013 and has served as its principal guest conductor since 2015. He will become the NACO’s eighth music director beginning in the 2026–2027 season. His contract is for four years.

“I couldn’t be more honoured, happy, and thrilled to become music director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, an orchestra I already love so deeply,” Storgards said in a statement. “When I look back

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