Roza Herwig & Julius Backer – Crazy He Calls Me

A woman sits alone in a room, waiting for a phone call that may never come. In that waiting, an inner world unfolds of memories, doubts and unanswered questions. Roza Herwig and Julius Backer tell this story through a varied programme of songs and monologues, featuring works by composers including Hildegard von Bingen, Gustav Mahler, Kurt Weill, Samuel Barber and George Gershwin. Interspersed are compositions written especially for this production by Karmit Fadael. Raw emotion alternates with humour, past with present, memory with fantasy.

Programme:

Composers include Von Bingen, Mahler, Bolcom, Obradors, Weill, Berio, Barber and Gershwin. Specially commissioned works by Karmit Fadael and Joshua Herwig.

Musicians:

• Roza Herwig, mezzo-soprano
• Julius Backer, piano

Roza Herwig and Julius Backer at Theater De Veste

The show won an award at the International Vocal Competition (IVC) in Den Bosch, one of the most prestigious singing competitions in the Netherlands. That alone speaks to the level of artistry on offer. Herwig and Backer are young musicians who connect classical music with theatrical power, and they do so with remarkable conviction. The intimate setting of the Theatre Café brings the audience close to the performance, making the emotional impact all the stronger.

Delft Chamber Music Festival 2026

This recital is part of the Delft Chamber Music Festival, which every year gives young talent a platform alongside established names in the chamber music world. The Hague is just a short distance from Delft, and Theater De Veste is a regular festival venue. The festival draws visitors from across the region who are looking for high-quality chamber music in an accessible setting.