GROTON – Groton Hill Music Center and the Celebrity Series of Boston have announced a new partnership to bring world-class performers on the venerable Celebrity Series’ roster to the new $100 million music performance and education facility set in a former orchard near Groton center.
The partnership marks the first time in its 85-year history that the Celebrity Series has expanded its performance venues beyond Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
It starts small, with four Celebrity Series’ classical performances slated for the 2023-2024 season in Groton Hill Music’s 300-seat Meadow Hall. The four-concert series is available by subscription only; single tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Concerts include pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, inaugurating the partnership in her Celebrity Series solo debut at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13.
Next is pianist-author Jeremy Denk in a program on female composers across the centuries at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.
Pianist Helene Grimaud, making her regional recital debut, performs works by Beethoven, Brahms and Bach at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21.
The Isidore String Quartet, an award-winning ensemble, closes out the first-year partnership with works by Haydn, Billy Childs and Beethoven at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 28.
“It’s a nice mix of debut performers and those we’ve presented before,” said Nicole Taney, Celebrity Series artistic director.
The partnership began eight years ago with a phone call from Susan Randazzo (now retired executive director of Indian Hill Music, Groton Hill Music’s previous name), said Celebrity Series president and executive director Gary Dunning.
“When I met with her and Lisa Fiorentino (Groton Hill’s CEO), they hinted about a large gift they might be receiving, large enough to build a new performing arts facility with real concert halls,” he recalled.
They stayed in touch, meeting in Boston or in the farm buildings on the property.
“I walked in those fields before they broke ground,” he said. “Plans became real drawings, which became piles of dirt and then structures of steel and now the result is a stunning performing arts center.”
The partnership is a win-win for both organizations.
“We have a great respect for the Celebrity Series of Boston, and we share a mission to present the highest quality performances. Both organizations are known for their artistic excellence,” said Fiorantino. “Our partnership with them will give a larger audience the opportunity to experience the quality and ambiance of Groton Hill.”
Arts patrons in the region will benefit, too, since they will no longer have to travel to Boston or Cambridge for Celebrity Series performances.
And it gives the Celebrity Series another stage on which to showcase its artists.
“We’re pleased to give our artists more opportunities to perform and to help build a larger audience for live performance,” said Dunning. “And we’re happy to spread the word about Groton Hill Music to agents and managers who have no idea about this gorgeous space.”
The first season is purposely small to see how it goes, they said. But they anticipate it will succeed and grow.
“Get your tickets now – this will be a sellout,” said Dunning.
Subscriptions are available at https://www.celebrityseries.org/get-ready-to-subscribe-for-2023-24/.
For info, visit www.celebrityseries.org or www.grotonhill.org.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is nancyedt@verizon.net.
