Julia Cramer Master Recital

Making my way on a misty evening to Dudley Hall at U of H for Soprano Julia Cramer's Master recital was definitely worth it. Her somewhat eclectic selection of songs and arias showcased her command of 4 languages and different musical forms.

She started out in a 'duet with an Oboe' (played by Ashley Guillot), in 'Wedding Cantata BWV 202' by J.S. Bach "Vanish now ye gloomy shadows". Interesting to pair a sometimes too strong oboe with the soprano voice.

Then she presented a set of Songs in French by Satie ("Je te veux" somewhat sad song), Weill and Poulenc. The Weill: "Je ne t'aime pas" was expressively and delightfully sung. In Poulenc's "Les chemins de l'amour" her voice's romantic side came out.

But in the 4 Richard Strauss songs, the "An die Nacht" and "Befreit" her voice soared impressively and strong. "Wie sollten wir geheim sie halten" and "Caecilie" the other two.

After a brief intermission, Ms. Cramer showed her dramatic side in songs by Lee Hoiby "Miss Alma Calls" among others ,accompanied by Alejandro Lopez on clarinet.

Representing Italian Opera at its best, Cramer sang a duet with Baritone Gabriel Preisser, from Verdi's Rigoletto "Mio Padre! Tutte le feste.. Si, vendetta." Both voices equally suited to the roles.

She ended her Master's recital with a Greek tune by Manos Hadjidakis, sung in Greek as a paean to her paternal Greek Grandmother, a simple but utterly lovely song during which slides of her grandmother and others were shown. Her father, John Cramer, OH!s concertmaster and member of the 'Doctor's orchestra' accompanied on the violin. Ms. Cramer's Italian, German and French were excellent. About the Greek I can't say, since I do not speak that. On the piano throughout was Katherine Ciscon, giving unobtrusive accompaniment.

Below a sample of the Satie "Je te veux".. the singer is NOT Julia.