The soprano Lily Arbisser and pianist Dr. Marian Lee will be performing a free benefit concert on Friday, August 30, 2019 at 7:30 PM at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf. Donations made that evening will benefit local flood victims, following the catastrophic flooding experienced in the Quad Cities earlier this year.
Dr. Lee will be playing on a recently restored double-grand Pleyel piano. Featuring two separate keyboards with two sets of strings but with a single soundboard, it is estimated to be one of only seven remaining double-grand Pleyel pianos worldwide. Built in 1904 in Paris, it was owned originally by Marguerite Baugnies de Saint-Marceaux who was well-known in the French salon scene. It was purchased in 1949 by Joe & Thea LeClair of Bettendorf. In 2018, complete restoration of the deteriorating wonder was completed with funds raised by the Federated Music Teachers Association of the Quad Cities. More information about the curious history behind the Pleyel piano can be found here.
Listen to the conversation with soprano Lily Arbisser about the details of the benefit concert, and how she feels her education at Central High School in Davenport prepared her for a career in the arts in general, and vocal performance in particular. Lily Arbisser is the 2019 winner of the National Federation of Music Club’s Young Artist Competition. This year she also made her debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and completed her work as a vocal fellow at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute outside Chicago.
Dr. Marian Lee is an Associate Professor of Piano at St. Ambrose University.
The Asbury United Methodist Church is located at 1809 Mississippi Blvd. in Bettendorf.
