Ute Lemper

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Ute Lemper BIO

Ute Lemper’s career is vast and varied. She has made her mark on the stage, in films, in concert and as a unique recording artist on more than 30 CDs over 30 years of career. She has been universally praised for her interpretations of Berlin Cabaret Songs, the works of Kurt Weill and Berthold Brecht and the Chansons of Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Léo Ferré, Jacques Prevert, Nino Rota, Astor Piazzolla many others and also her own compositions, as well as her portrayals in musicals and plays on Broadway, in Paris, Berlin and in London’s West End.

Ute’s newest creation is her very personal homage to Marlene Dietrich. For 35 years Ute has been compared to Marlene , but never formatted an entire show to celebrate this legend. Now in 2018, Ute decided to honor her with her Rendezvous With Marlene. A brand new show based on the true story of her 3 hour phone call with Marlene 30 years ago, in 1988, when they both lived in Paris. The evening is a dialog between Ute and Marlene, exploring Marlene’s career and personal life from the beginning, in a timeline that eventually meets Ute’s timeline with a continuation of their parallel stories. Ute sings Marlene’s most beautiful songs and tells some captivating secrets of her life. This show will tour the stages of the world in 2019.

In 2015, Ute completed her compositions The 9 Secrets to the words of Paulo Coelho, based on his book Manuscript Found in Accra. This creation was released on CD in fall 2015 on the label EDEL in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and on the STEINWAY Label internationally in February 2016. She recorded the song cycle, The 9 Secrets, in New York with some of the finest musicians from around the world. Instruments used during recording include exotic ancient Arabic guitars, shepherd flutes, rebec and percussions. The one and only Gil Goldstein played accordion and wrote masterful string arrangements. Ute is thrilled and honored about this collaboration with Paulo Coelho, who is one of the most important legendary authors of our time.

ARTE TV recorded the world premiere of The 9 Secrets LIVE in Germany at the Ruhr Festspiele and presented a one hour portrait on MAESTRO in October, and broadcast the complete LIVE Concert on ARTE Internet worldwide.

At the same time, as we count 70 years after the end of World War 2 and the liberation of the concentration camps, Ute conceived a concert as a commemoration of the Holocaust with Songs For Eternity, dedicated to the songs created in the ghettos and concentration camps between 1942 and 1944. Ute researched, together with Francesco Lotoro and Orly Beigel, an unbelievable collection of songs written in the darkest moments of imprisoned life, facing inhumane cruelties, torture and death.

Her previous creation Forever, an homage to the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda presents her self composed song cycle to his passionate Love Poems. This heartfelt musical masterpiece toured the world and sold many CDs worldwide.

In 2011 and 2012 Ute toured the world with Ultimo Tango, presenting a journey through the songs of Astor Piazzolla, the fabulous Argentinian composer of Tango Nuevo. Ute sings in the original Spanish, but also created adaptations of the songs in German, French and English. Stories of love, abandonment, decadence in Buenos Aires, Berlin, Paris and New York. The tour presented the original Astor Piazzolla Sextet from Buenos Aires.

In 2011, Ute also played to a packed house at the concert series with the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis at Rose Hall in New York City, dedicated to the music of Kurt Weill.

She is also presenting, with Vince Mendoza as conductor and partly arranger, a new French Program called Paris Paris.

Very different is Ute’s other creation, The Bukowski Project, a rather avant-garde, adventurous collage in music and songs of the poetry of Charles Bukowski. This homage to the poet was invented and largely composed by Ute herself with a collaboration of her partner Todd Turkisher and her pianist Vana Gierig.

Ute was nominated for a GRAMMY for her CD Paris Days/Berlin Nights with the Vogler String Quartet and Stefan Malzew on Piano. It is a beautiful semi-classical recording, featuring songs between love and war composed by Hans Eisler, Kurt Weill, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf and Astor Piazzolla, as well as Folksongs in Yiddish and in Russian. The group did an extensive North American Tour in March and April of 2012.

Ute was born in Munster, Germany and completed her studies at The Dance Academy in Cologne and the Max Reinhardt Seminary Drama School in Vienna.

While Ute has continued to perform and revive the works of Brecht and Weill, her professional theatre stage debut in a musical was in the original Vienna production of Cats in the roles of Grizabella and Bombalurina. She went on to play Peter Pan in Peter Pan (Berlin) and Sally Bowles in Jerome Savary’s Cabaret (Paris) for which she received the Moliere Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She played Lola in The Blue Angel (Berlin) under the direction of Peter Zadek and Maurice Bejart created a ballet for her, La Mort Subite (Paris). Ute also appeared in many Weill Revues with the Pina Bausch Tanztheater, and she created the part of Velma Kelly in London’s production of Chicago in the West End, for which she was honored with the Laurence Olivier Award, and moved to the Broadway production after one year to receive the American Theatre Award.

Ute Lemper’s solo concerts, which include Kurt Weill / Berthold Brecht Recitals, Dietrich and Piaf / Jacques Brel / Leo Ferre / Kosma / Prevert / Sondheim evenings, and Berlin Cabaret Evening have been produced in prestigious venues throughout the world. Her symphony concerts include The Seven Deadly Sins, Songs from Kurt Weill, Songbook (Michael Nyman) and Songs from Weill, Piaf and Dietrich with the symphony orchestras of London, Israel, Boston, Hollywood, San Francisco, Berlin, The Paris Radio Symphony Orchestra, The Illusions Orchestra (Bruno Fontaine) and the Michael Nyman Band (Michael Nyman). She also appeared in Folksongs with the Luciano Berio Orchestra (Luciano Berio) and with The Matrix Ensemble (Robert Ziegler) performing Berlin Cabaret Songs. She performed with the best symphony orchestras all over the world from Buenos Aires to Sydney.

Her celebrated recordings for DECCA include Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill (Vols. I and II), Three Penny Opera, The Seven Deadly Sins, Mahogonny Songspiel, Prospero’s Books (Michael Nyman), Songbook (Michael Nyman/Paul Celan), Illusions (Piaf/Dietrich), City of Strangers (Prever/Sondheim) and Berlin Cabaret Songs (German and English versions). She was named Billboard Magazine’s Crossover Artist of the Year for 1993-1994. In early 2000, Decca / Universal Music released Punishing Kiss, featuring new songs composed for her by Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Philip Glass, and Nick Cave. Her following release on Decca But One Day, features new arrangements of Weill, Brel, Piazolla, Heymann and Eisler songs, as well as the first recordings of her own compositions, for which she wrote both lyrics and music. She also recorded Crimes of the Heart, Life is a Cabaret and Ute Lemper Live for CBS Records and for POLYDOR, Espace Indecent, Nuits Etranges and She Has a Heart.

She recorded a Live album and DVD, Blood and Feathers, at the Café Carlyle, one of New York’s hottest Cabaret stages. It was released worldwide on DRG/Koch Records and EDEL Records in Europe.

All That Jazz/The Best of Ute Lemper, which features highlights from her illustrious career to date was released in 1998. It accompanied her playing Velma Kelly in the London production of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago for which she received the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. After nine months in London’s West End Ms. Lemper made her Broadway debut in September 1998. A major highlight of her eight months American engagement in Chicago was starring with Chita Rivera in the Las Vegas premiere in March 1999.

Her album Between Yesterday and Tomorrow is entirely self penned music and lyrics and Ute enjoyed coproducing all of her songs together with her partner in life and work Todd Turkisher.

In film, her many credits include L’Autrichienne (Pierre Granier-Deferre), Prospero’s Books (Peter Greenaway), Moscow Parade (Ivan Dikhovichni), Prêt-à-Porter (Robert Altman), Bogus (Norman Jewison) and the most recent releases, Combat de Fauves (Benoit Lamy), A River Made to Drown In (James Merendino) and Appetite (George Milton). She has appeared on television in Rage/Outrage, The Dreyfus Affair (Arte), Tales from the Crypt (HBO), Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill (Bravo), Illusions (Granada), Songbook (Volker Scholendorff), The Wall (Rogers Waters) and The Look of Love (Gillian Lynn).

Ms. Lemper lives in New York with her four children, Max, Stella, Julian and Jonas.

Ute Lemper Photos

Ute Lemper STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 1997
Velma Kelly [Replacement]

[West End]
London Revival, 1997
Velma Kelly

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Velma Kelly [Replacement]


Ute Lemper News


Review: UTE LEMPER, WEIMAR BERLIN AND AFTER THE EXODUS Brings Tribute to the Past at Carnegie Hall

This reviewer was overwhelmed by the emotionally intense performance that was UTE LEMPER, WEIMAR BERLIN AND AFTER THE EXODUS.

Previews: SISTINA CHAPITEAU

SISTINA CHAPITEAU SI ACCENDONO LE LUCI DEL SISTINA CHAPITEAU L’INAUGURAZIONE IL 13 DICEMBRE A MILANO CON “CATS”

Carnegie Hall to Present 100+ Events as Part of Weimar Festival

Carnegie Hall has revealed a schedule of 100+ events for the Weimar Festival, January-May 2024.

Photos: The Gasp Collection

After four years at Broadway World Cabaret, quite a collection of photos has been amassed. These are the gasp-worthy pics.

Cabaret Photographers: Bobby Patrick

Broadway World Cabaret gets photographic content from some of the best shutterbugs in the business. Here's a look at some of the captures they've shared with us.

ESPECIAL: CHICAGO cumple 27 años en Broadway

Si bien EL FANTASMA DE LA ÓPERA es el musical más longevo de la historia de Broadway y LOS MISERABLES lo es del West End, el puesto a la producción estadounidense más longeva de la historia de la Great White Way se lo lleva el revival de CHICAGO, que hoy cumple la friolera de 27 años ininterrumpidos en Broadway.

Groundbreaking Bassist/Composer Kinga Głyk Unveils New Album 'Real Life'

Recorded with GRAMMY Award-winning engineer/mixer Nic Hard (Snarky Puppy, Charlie Hunter, Ute Lemper) in multiple sessions during winter 2022-23 at Michael League's Estudi Vint in Catalonia, Spain, Real Life marks Kinga Głyk's first new album in more than four years as well as the most distinctive work of her still-evolving career.

Ute Lemper Brings FROM BERLIN TO BROADWAY to Montreal and Toronto

After a two-decade absence from the metropolis, legendary German singer Ute Lemper promises a one-of-a-kind performance. Blending the magic of Cabaret, Broadway, and French song, she is guaranteed to captivate audiences. 

Photos: Ute Lemper Is Timeless In TIME TRAVELER at Joe's Pub

Everything they say about Ute Lemper is true.

Review: Ute Lemper Astounds in TIME TRAVELER at Joe's Pub

TIME TRAVELER was a fascinating look at the life of an extremely versatile artist.

Review: The Annual Cabaret Convention Concerts At Rose Theater Are For The Fans Old And New

Three nights of cabaret artistry on display was heaven at times, and a long haul at others.

Photos: SPEAK LOW: THE MUSIC OF KURT WEILL at Rose Theater Opens Cabaret Convention

Last night at Rose Theater The Mabel Mercer Foundation kicked off the 34th Annual Cabaret Convention and Broadway World photographer Conor Weiss was in the house.

Lyric Stage Boston to Kick Off 2023/24 Season with Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS

Get ready for a thrilling start to Lyric Stage Boston's 2023/24 season with Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. Don't miss this limited run of the captivating musical. Experience the powerful production at Lyric Stage Boston and immerse yourself in the world of Assassins.

BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY to Return to Mexico With Four City Tour

Bugs Bunny and friends are returning to Mexico with a four-city tour this autumn. Don't miss this unforgettable concert experience in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, and Monterrey.

Joe's Pub Will Host 25th Birthday Bash at Astor Plaza and Fall 2023 Programming Revealed

Live performance venue Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater turns 25 this fall, and will celebrate through its epic programming with an emphasis on “Presenting New York.” Artists from across genres, across the five boroughs, and the world will take the stage throughout the 2023-2024 season.

Patti LuPone, David Foster & Katharine McPhee and More Set for 2023�"2024 Season of Renée Fleming VOICES

Discover the incredible lineup of performances and special events for the 2023–2024 season of Renée Fleming VOICES at the Kennedy Center. From renowned artists to captivating concerts, get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Review: Ute Lemper Electrifies Her Audience In LILI MARLEEN �" FROM WEIMAR TO THERESIENSTADT At 54 Below

In the end, through her sense of drama and the music of Holleander, Spoliansky, Brecht, and yes, even Seger, Ute Lember built a smokey, dimly lit, and incredibly exciting Kabarett room under 54th Street

Storm Large, Ute Lemper, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work.

Donna McKechnie, Taylor Iman Jones & More to Perform at 54 Below in March

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Lea Michele, Patti LuPone & More to be Featured in Carnegie Hall 2023-2024 Season

Carnegie Hall has announced programming for its 2023–2024 season, including Lea Michele's Carnegie Hall Debut, Patti LuPone, and more. See how to purchase tickets!

Ute Lemper FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ute Lemper has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Ute Lemper has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Ute Lemper's first West End show was Chicago which opened in 1997

Ute Lemper has been nominated for several awards, including Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Chicago, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Chicago, and The Observer Award for Outstanding Achievement (Olivier Awards) for her Kurt Weill Evening.

Ute Lemper has won the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for her role in Chicago and the Best Actress in a Musical award at the Olivier Awards for her performance in Chicago.

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