A Groton Hill exclusive!
Hailed as “opera royalty” and “one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation” (OperaWire), Grammy Award-winning J’Nai Bridges is a powerhouse of vocal artistry.
Celebrated for her mesmerizing portrayal of Nefertiti in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten at the Metropolitan Opera and as a definitive Carmen on two continents, Bridges captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice and commanding stage presence.
World renowned rock guitarist Gary Hoey's first break came in 1987 when Ozzy Osbourne liked Hoey’s tape enough to fly him to LA for an audition. Although Zakk Wylde wound up with the gig, Ozzy recommended Hoey move to LA where he was certain he would get noticed. So he did – thanks Ozzy – and it paid off. In 1992 Gary’s cover of “Hocus Pocus” rocketed into the Billboard’s Top 5 Rock Tracks.
New York-born and Boston-bred emerging saxophonist, composer, and educator Gregory Groover Jr has already left an indelible mark in the jazz world, in a short period. Saxophonist Walter Smith III describes him as a “thematic musician, who's playing very much relates to the song. He plays with a lot of energy, and he leads with that. The heart is the most important thing – the direction and motion of what he plays is where he really feels.” Groover’s artistry seamlessly marries genres as he continues to push the boundaries of jazz while honoring its deep legacy.
Steve Hackett
Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo
North American Tour 2025
His new show celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, and Steve Hackett includes a selection of highlights from this iconic Genesis album.
Steve Hackett’s timeless guitar work was woven throughout the classic Genesis albums of the ’70s. In recent years, he and his world class band have brought several of these albums back to concert halls to great acclaim. Many fans also asked for more of The Lamb’s songs to be included. What better way to celebrate the half-century of this remarkable album than to include a selection of Lamb Highlights alongside some of Hackett’s best solos and the essential Genesis Greats.
We’re kicking off the season with a trio of crowd-pleasers that will fill the hall with the Vista Philharmonic’s sound – big, dynamic, and impactful pieces our musicians love to play. We’ll open with a bright, bouncy, and energetic curtain raiser by one of Maestro Hangen’s favorite contemporary composers, Adolphus Hailstork. Saint-Saëns exquisite, rich, and romantic Cello Concerto follows, in the deft hands of concerto competition-winning cellist Nathaniel Taylor, who returns this season as a featured soloist. Rachmaninoff’s second Symphony closes out the program with a powerful, bold, and exceptionally romantic symphonic experience.
HAILSTORK An American Port of Call
SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1, Nathaniel Taylor, cello
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No.2, op.27, E minor