MONROE — Sponsored by the Swiss Heritage Series of the Turner Hall of Monroe, Dr. Olivier Eisenmann, organist, and flautist Verena Steffen, both of Weggis, Switzerland, (near Lucerne) will present a free one-hour duo recital on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Monroe, 2227 4th Street.
The couple’s performance marks the opening event of Turner Hall’s 2023 Swiss Heritage Series, which had largely been on hold for the past three years due to the pandemic. The public is invited to attend, and a free-will offering will be accepted for the performers. This will be the couple’s third tour to south-central Wisconsin and Monroe since 2006.
Born in Zürich, and the son of Swiss composer, Will Eisenmann, Dr. Eisenmann has concertized extensively throughout Europe, as well as Russia, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, China, Mexico and the United States. In addition to his own 20 recordings, he has recorded for radio and television in many countries and has been featured at numerous major organ festivals. Likewise, flautist Verena Steffen has also toured and recorded throughout the world.
In 2014, Dr. Eisenmann was recognized for his worldwide concert activities as a musical ambassador of Weggis, and as the long-standing artistic director of the Weggiser Sonntagskonzerte (Weggis Sunday Concerts). Additionally, he was honored in 2022 by the Cultural Commission of the City of Zug (Switzerland) on the 40th anniversary of the International Zug Organ Days, of which he is the organizer and artistic director.
While in the United States, the couple’s tour schedule includes performances at Central Synogogue in Manhattan, New York on March 14; Bernardsville, New Jersey on March 16; in Chicago on March 18; at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church — Madison Campus on March 20; concluding their U.S. tour on March 23 at the United Methodist Church of Monroe. Following the program, a reception for the performers will be held in the Ratskeller of the Turner Hall of Monroe, 1217 17th Avenue.
The United Methodist Church of Monroe is handicapped-accessible with ample parking available. The Turner Hall of Monroe is a non-profit 501(c)(3) center of Swiss heritage and community activities, and is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Established in 1868, it is believed to be the only Turner Hall of Swiss origin left in the United States, and is likewise one of the oldest, continuously-running Swiss entities in this country. Its Swiss Heritage Series features an annual line-up of programs, concerts and events that perpetuate and nurture all things Swiss. More information is available at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org.
