Music lovers around here have long known that some of the most interesting performances take place year after year on the Peabody Institute campus. And, until this season, very reasonable ticket prices have been a bonus.

For 2016-2017, Peabody has made things even more enticing. All performances are free.

The season promises quite a roster of notable artists and repertoire, as well as a new acoustical experience in the 150-year-old Friedberg Concert Hall, which was renovated over the summer.

Surely there's a catch, you say. OK, a little one. You do have to reserve a free ticket for many of the concerts, but that's — ahem — a small price to pay.

The season opens with the conservatory's long-treasured Leon Fleisher conducting the Peabody Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 24 in works by Haydn, Beethoven (Triple Concerto) and Sibelius. Faculty and student soloists will be featured.

— Tim Smith