Ute Lemper | Artist
Ute Lemper is a German singer, actress, and cabaret performer born 1963 in Münster Germany. She is one of the world's foremost singers of Weimar Cabaret music and modern classical repertoire. From a young age, Lemper displayed a prodigious talent for singing and acting. She joined the jazz-rock group Panama Drive Band at the age of 16, and later graduated from the Dance Academy in Cologne and the Max Reinhardt Seminary drama school in Vienna. Her early success came with her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the Paris production of the musical "Cabaret," a role that would become synonymous with her name. Lemper's interpretation of the songs of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht has earned her critical acclaim and a devoted following. Her renditions of classic cabaret songs such as "Surabaya Johnny" and "Mack the Knife" showcase her exceptional vocal range, emotional depth, and dramatic flair. Her performances are characterised by a unique blend of sensuality, sophistication, and vulnerability, drawing audiences into the world of Weimar-era Berlin with haunting intensity. Lemper has also explored a diverse range of musical genres, from jazz and chanson to pop and classical music, collaborating with musicians and composers, including Michael Nyman, Elvis Costello, and Philip Glass. Lemper has also performed in film, television, and theatre, including the revival of Chicago, in both London and New York, which won her the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. As a recording artist, Lemper's catalogue has over 20 studio albums, including standouts Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill (1988), Die Dreigroschenoper (1990), Michael Nyman Songbook (1991), City of Strangers (1995), Berlin Cabaret Songs (1996), and Paris Days Berlin Nights (2012). Lemper has appeared in a number of arthouse films, including the Robert Altman directed Prêt-à-Porter, in which she appeared in a well-publicised nude scene filmed while she was pregnant. She also dubbed the singing voices of Ariel in Disneys The Little Mermaid and Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, for German-speaking audiences. Offstage, Lemper is known for her outspoken advocacy of social and political causes, including human rights, environmental conservation, and gender equality. A mother of four, Lemper resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, and continues to perform worldwide.
Artist Website: utelemper.com
Featured Albums: Ute Lemper
Related Artists: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
