Nahant — The first concert as part of the newly launched series, “Celebrating the Arts,” will make its debut on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Nahant Community Center. It will feature Nahant resident and Austrian native Ute Gfrerer, an internationally acclaimed soprano and soloist who has captivated audiences around the world. Gfrerer will regale her audience with works by Schumann and Duparc, singing about “La Folie de L’Amour” (“The Madness of Love”).
“Celebrating the Arts” is an ongoing, multi-year series designed to create live artistic experiences in Nahant by making the performing arts accessible and relatable while fostering community connection. It is the brain-child of creator Katharina Radlberger, who, as a principal violinist, is no stranger to the performing arts.
“The connection of live performances opens hearts,” explains Radlberger. “There is great connection through the arts. I feel that especially in this time, where there is much division happening in the world, that the need for connecting is greater than ever. Launching this series will help us, and our neighbors, connect as a community. We aim to bring high-quality performances to multi-generations, to invite our audience to share in the transformative power of music and artistic expression.”
Classically trained in Austria, Radlberger has performed with orchestras and quartets on all continents. She moved to Nahant – the smallest town in Massachusetts – in 2011, and within 2 months was performing as part of the Ellingwood Chapel Concert Series. That series, which acquired its name from the town’s historic Ellingwood Chapel, brought classical and chamber music, singing, dance, and opera to the people of Nahant and surrounding communities for 25 years, but it ceased operation when the pandemic hit.
“When the Ellingwood Chapel Concert Series was suspended, it became apparent that artistic beauty was missing in our community. The shared love for the arts, the intimate gatherings, and the diverse artists performing to the delight of captivated audiences suddenly ceased. And that has led to today, where once again live performances will grace our little town,” says Radlberger.
“Our 2026 series features Nahant musicians, and it is eclectic and fun,” states Radlberger. “From ‘Celtic and Scandinavian Traditional Music,’ to ‘Fife and Drums’ in honor of the country’s 250 th birthday, and ‘A Million Dreams’ featuring adult and children’s choirs, there is something for everyone.”
