Cassandra Leisher Graduate Lecture Recital
April 25, 2026 1PM HMUS101
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
Cassandra Leisher, voice
Dr. Jennifer Cruz, piano Program
German Lieder
Josephine Lang - Traumbild (1815-1880)
- Sie liebt mich - Ob ich manchmal dein gedenke
S elections from Ariettes oubliées
Claude Debussy - C’est l’extase (1862- 1918)
- II pleure dans mon cœure - L’ombre des arbres
Selections from Five Betjemen Songs
Madeline Dring - Business Girls (1923-1977)
- Upper Lambourne - Song Of A Nightclub Proprietress
*** Indicate when to applaud
This recital is presented under the direction of Professor Fred Carama in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.M. in Vocal Performance.
ARTIST
Cassandra Leisher is a vocalist, conductor, and music educator pursuing a Master of Music in both Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance. In 2022, she received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from University of California, Irvine. In 2022, Cassandra made her Carnegie Hall debut, and performed there again in 2024. In 2025, she performed the music of Ola Gjielo at Cadogan Hall in London, England. That same year, she participated in the Barcelona Festival of Song music program. Most recently, she toured in Italy with California Baptist University’s Camerata choir. Additionally, Cassandra has given three recitals this school year: one conducting recital, a lecture voice recital, and a graduate vocal recital. She is grateful for these given opportunities, and intends to continue serving Him through her love for
CDr. Jennifer Cruz is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts at CBU. A versatile collaborator across campus, she serves as stab pianist for SoPA student recitals, juries, Camerata, and faculty showcases. An international performer and clinician, she holds degrees from Eastman and a DMA from USC, and is dedicated to mentoring students toward sustainable, meaningful musical careers.
TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS
Traumbild
When I lie on the bed, shrouded in night and cushions, So, floats before me a sweet, lovely dear image! When silent slumber has barely closed my eyes, So creeps the image into my dream. And in the morning it never fades away with the dream: Then I carry it about with me in my heart the whole day.
Sie liebt mich
She loves me, she loves me!
Yes! She loves me! What an exalted trembling! Am I aware of myself? Am I alive? She loves me, she loves me! Ah, can the soul capture you Happiness without name, can I do without you, Once you are awakened, Happiness without name! She loves me, she loves me! Yes! She loves me! Ah, everything around me is so diberent; sun, is that still you? Is that still you, little hut? Bear the joy, Blessed heart! She loves me, she loves me!
Ob ich manchmal Dein gedenke
Do I sometimes think of you? If you only knew how much Draw unto yourself even the shadows Of my dreaming thoughts!
Day and night, and at all hours, Oh, all those words do not express it;
C’est l’extase
It is languorous rapture, It is amorous fatigue, It is all the tremors of the forest In the breezes’ embrace, It is, around the grey branches, The choir of tiny voices.
O the delicate, fresh murmuring! The warbling and whispering, It is like the soft cry The rubled grass gives out … You might take it for the mubled sound
Of pebbles in the swirling stream. This soul which grieves In this subdued lament, It is ours, is it not?
Mine, and yours too, Breathing out our humble hymn On this warm evening, soft and low?
II pleure dans mon cœur
Tears fall in my heart
As rain falls on the town; What is this heavy saddness Pervading my heart?
Ah, the soft sound of rain On the ground and roofs! For a listless heart, Ah, the sound of the rain! Tears fall without reason In this disheartened heart. What! Was there no treason? …
This grief’s without reason. And the worst pain of all Must be not to know why Without love and without hate My heart feels such pain.
L’ombre des arbres
The shadow of trees in the misty stream
Dies like smoke, While up above, in the real branches, The turtle- doves lament. How this faded landscape, O traveler, Watched you yourself fade, And how sadly in the lofty leaves Your drowned hopes were weeping!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same is true for training a musician. This recital was made possible because of the immense support and dedication of my friends, family, and professors here at CBU, and from previous teachers in my undergraduate. I would like to start by thanking Professor Carama, Professor Stephens, and Dr. Golden for believing me and pushing me in your respective ways. You have all helped me grow in my artistry and in my ability to communicate through music. Next, I must thank Dr. Cruz who is collaborating on today’s recital with me. You inspire me. It has been so wonderful working with you and exploring this music together. Thank you for everything. Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing family and my wonderful friends. To my mom, you have always supported my love for music. Thank you for everything you do, and all the ways you have helped me get to this point. To my friends, thank you all for your support and love. I am grateful for each of you!