Cassandra Leisher Graduate Lecture Recital November 16, 2025
7PM
HMUS 101
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts Cassandra Leisher, presenter Davin Chaffin, piano
Program Fiz da Vida uma Cancão
Portuguese Art Songs
Amor que partiu Catalan Art Songs
Henrique Waldemar (1905-1995) Cláudio Santoro (1919-1989)
Ont ets amor
Enric Morera (1865-1942)
Abril
Eduard Toldra (1895-1962) Intermission
Cancioncilla Ester
Spanish Art Songs
Jaime León (1921-2015) Nico Gutierrez (b. 1993)
This recital is presented under the direction of Professor Fred Carama in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.M. in Vocal Performance degree.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Cassandra Leisher is vocalist, conductor, and music educator pursuing a Master of Music in both Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting. While at Cal Baptist, Cassandra has had multiple transformative performance opportunities. This past summer, she participated in the Barcelona Festival of Song, and also performed at Cadogan Hall in London. In 2024 and 2022, she performed at Carnegie Hall. Cassandra received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from UC Irvine where she performed multiple major works with the UCI Chamber Singers, served as student conductor, and began her research on underrepresented composers. She hopes to give recognition to music that is less explored and inspire others to do the same so that all voices can be heard one song at a time.
COLLABORATIVE PIANIST BIOGRAPHY
Davin Chaffin is a budding pianist, composer, and music educator based in Southern California. He is a senior in the music program at Cal Baptist University, to receive a B.M. in Piano Performance, with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy. Under the guidance of Dr. Andres Jaramillo and Dr. Jennifer Cruz, Davin has regularly performed as a solo pianist and collaborative pianist for vocalists, ensembles, and university choirs. An avid composer, Davin received training through Dr. Glenn Pickett and has been involved in several composition projects. Since 2021, Davin has taught a diverse range of piano students, helping others to gain musical mastery and confidence. He hopes to continue using his gifts to better serve and love God and people.
TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS Portuguese Art Songs “Fiz da Vida uma Canção” by Henrique Waldemar (1905- 1995) Poet unknown Foi depois que teu olhar Volveu-se para mim Que senti o coração pulsar
It was after your gaze Turned to me That I felt my heart beat
Percebi que minha alma Vibrava de emoção Então Eu fiz da vida, uma canção!
I realized that my soul Vibrated with emotion Then I made life a song!
Meu amor! Meu amor! Se dissesses: Te amo, também
My love! My love! If you said: I love you, too
Meu amor! Minha vida! Só pertence a ti, a mais ninguém!
My love! My life! It belongs only to you, to no one else!
Si eu pudesse concentrar Toda a luz do teu olhar Em mim Enfim
If I could concentrate All the light of your gaze On myself Finally
Por beijar Tua boca Eu seria capaz de tudo tentar!
To kiss Your mouth I would be capable of trying anything!
“Amor que partiu” by Cláudio Santoro (1919- 1989) poem by Vinícius de Moraes (1913- 1980) Dor de querer quem não vem Dor de viver sem seu bem Oh, dor que perdoa ninguém Meu amor não tem compaixão Partiu, ó flor, paixão Amor que partiu Tem dó de mim Assim sem meu bem, Oh, vem perto de mim Que sofro na solidão Tão triste dor.
Pain of wanting someone who doesn't come Pain of living without your loved one Oh, pain that forgives no one My love has no compassion It has gone, oh flower, passion Love that has gone Have pity on me So without my loved one, Oh, come close to me For I suffer in solitude Such sad pain.
Catalan Art Songs “Ont ets amor” by Enric Morera (1865-1942) poem by J. Llongueras (dates unknown) Ont ets amor? Aimia? Ma vida se des flora, Ma vida se des flora.
Where are you, love? Loved? My life is fading away My life is fading away.
Mon cor ton cor ansia Mon llavi ton respir.
My heart longs for your heart My lips for your breath.
Mira ma pena, Oh mira com canta’l cor Complora! Complora!
Look at my pain, Oh look how the heart sings [how it] Weeps! Weeps!
Vine, Vine que el jorn ja espira I’m sento amb ell morir.
Come, Come, the day is already ending And I feel like dying with it.
“Abril” by Eduard Toldra (1895- 1962) poem by Trinitat Catasús (1887-1940) Trèmola rialla de dia daurat; ventijol qui calla en la immensitat. Palpitanta i jove majestat d’Abril; vestidura nova dels arbres. Sotil, diafana, i clara delicia del vert, amb que el món, suara, de llum s’és covert quan el fontinyó tremolant, sentia la seva frescor tornada alegría.
Trèmola laughs at golden days; a breeze that is silent in the immensity. Pulsating and young majesty of April; new clothing of the trees. Subtle, diaphanous, and clear delight of green, with which the world, sweating, of light is covered when the fountain trembling, felt its freshness turned into joy.
Pluja lenta i blanca de flors d’atmetller, qui cau de la branca quan l’oratjol ve. Noies pels portals; finestra enramada; festes matinals xopes de rosada. I passa l’Abril demunt de poncelles, xamós i gentil cantant caramelles.
Slow and white rain of almond blossoms, which falls from the branch when the morning light comes. Girls by the pools; window with branches; morning parties soaked in dew. And April passes above the brooks, chamois and gentle singing carols.
Spanish Art Songs “Cancioncilla” by Jaime León (1921-2015) poem by Eduardo Carranza (1913-1985) Duermete mi niña Mi niña no llores Irás a la luna En un tren de flores Niña que no duerme Sueños no tendrá Si no tiene sueño, Nadie la querrá.
Sleep, my little girl My little girl, don't cry You'll go to the moon On a train of flowers A little girl who doesn't sleep Will have no dreams If she doesn't sleep, No one will love her.
La luna se duerme Del cielo en la cuna En avión de nacar Irás a la luna
The moon falls asleep In the cradle of heaven On a pearly plane You'll go to the moon
Jugar con mi niña un angel quisiera, En la plazoleta del sueño la espera.
An angel would like to play with my little girl, In the little square sleep awaits her.
En un tren de flores Llegas a la luna Mi niña dormida El cieloes tu cuna
On a train of flowers You'll reach the moon My sleeping little girl Heaven is your cradle
Duermete mi niña Mi niña no llores.
Sleep, my little girl My little girl, don't cry.
“Ester” by Nico Gutierrez (b.1993) poem by Mariano Melendra Serna (1894-1989) Eres la maga, La maga La maga de mis ilusiones La instigadora azul de mis anhelos
You are the magician, The magician The magician of my dreams The blue instigator of my longings
La’animación de todas mis canciones
The animation of all my
Todas mis canciones Todas mis canciones Y la visión astral de mis desvelos (la da da da da di da) Con tu grácil pureza De’oraciones Y tu divinidad De’ignotos cielos De mi dolor bajo Los brancos sones Extiendes un enjambre De consuelos (la la la) No te sorprenda Pues cuanto te’adoro Cuanto te’adoro Cuanto te’adoro No te sorprenda Pues cuanto te’adoro Y se que pusiste Tu polvillo de oro Sobre mi Sobre mi Sobre mi Sobre mi’ensueño Al entre abrir su broche Su broche Que al golpear En mi senda desolada Con tu varita magica Oh hada! Llenaste de crepúsculos mis noches (la ah ah ah ah)
songs All my songs All my songs And the astral vision of my sleepless nights (la da da da da di da) With your graceful purity Of prayers And your divinity Of unknown skies From my pain below The sound of horse hooves You spread a swarm Of consolations (la la la) Don't be surprised For how much I adore you How much I adore you How much I adore you Don't be surprised For how much I adore you And I know that you placed Your gold dust Upon me Upon me Upon me Upon my daydream When you half-open your brooch Your brooch That’s when you knock On my desolate path With your wand magic Oh fairy! You filled my nights with twilight (ah ah ah ah)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, thank you Jesus for being my constant motivator and my source of strength. It is by God’s grace that I get to live this beautiful and highly rewarding life of music. May He get all the glory tonight! Thank you to the wonderful faculty at CBU. Special thanks to: Professor Carama, Dr. Jaramillo, Dr. Golden, and Professor Stephens for pushing me, for helping me to grow in my artistry, and for believing in me. A huge thank you to Davin Chaffin for the countless hours you put into this recital. We explored the depths of this music together and I am so proud of what we have accomplished. Thank you to the friends and mentors I have met while living in Riverside and to everyone in attendance today. Finally, to my amazing family including my best friend, Ashley, thank you for all the ways you love and support me. I love you all with all my heart.