A favorite from the Art Institute of Chicago to the Musée de Montmartre in Paris, actor/singer CLAUDIA HOMMEL is best known for her cabaret concerts of French and American songs celebrating Paris. Not limited to the role of French chanteuse, "Claudia Hommel is a gifted and uniquely versatile artist, with a wide range of roles demanding deep emotional commitment or zany satirical high-jinks and everything in between," writes her mentor, actor and director Alvin Epstein. Claudia's repertoire encompasses French chanson, American standards, 19th and 20th century art songs and theatre music. Her clear and beautiful voice, ranging from lyrical to gutsy, adds to her considerable appeal.
Claudia HommelBorn in Paris, raised in Detroit, seasoned in New York City and calling Chicago home, Claudia leads an active career as a theatrical singer in clubs, recital halls, museums, libraries and theatres from New York City to California. Described as a "bit of Audrey Hepburn, with something of Ginger Rogers, Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and... Air Jordan," Claudia "will make you want to dance along the Seine."
In association with members of the American Association of Teachers of French and the Music Educators National Conference, Claudia tours her Parisian cabaret programs as artist-in-residence to secondary schools and colleges across the continent. Her academic background in history and archives infuses her school residencies, workshops and master classes with revelations of social and cultural history and criticism.
A member of the Actors Equity Association, Claudia appeared as Young Nadya in Joshua Sobol's Adam, Guenevere in Camelot, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, Artie in Lee Blessing's Eleemosynary, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She often shares the stage with other members of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals, which she co-founded in 1998.
The Maison Clobert label features Claudia's recordings of Parisian cabaret concerts: Paris/Paree, Paris in the Jazz Age, and Romance Language: French songs for lovers (featuring the legendary jazz violinist Johnny Frigo), and the classical-jazz crossover albums led by Dennis Luxion and Bobby Schiff: The Jazz Fauré Project: au bord de l'eau and By the Riverbank
John S. Wilson for the New York Times says "Claudia Hommel, a singer and actress who performs in both theater and cabaret, brings a sense of theater with her when she goes into cabaret...Miss Hommel's voice can be strong and soaring, and she uses it to excellent dramatic effect in her lusty Spanish and French songs."
Dorothy Andries for Pioneer Press: “For a few hours, we were in Paris, transported by a marvelous cabaret show at the Ravinia Festival starring the remarkable singer Claudia Hommel. An excellent actress, she can set a mood with a turn of her head or the look in her eyes.” More…
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John S. Wilson for the New York Times says "Claudia Hommel, a singer and actress who performs in both theater and cabaret, brings a sense of theater with her when she goes into cabaret...Miss Hommel's voice can be strong and soaring, and she uses it to excellent dramatic effect in her lusty Spanish and French songs."
Dorothy Andries for Pioneer Press: “For a few hours, we were in Paris, transported by a marvelous cabaret show at the Ravinia Festival starring the remarkable singer Claudia Hommel. An excellent actress, she can set a mood with a turn of her head or the look in her eyes.” More…
North Shore Magazine recommends Claudia for private parties. “She is at once sexy and sophisticated, stunning in an Audrey Hepburn sort of way.” More…
Neil Tesser for the Chicago Reader is enchanted. “Claudia Hommel plays the role of chanteuse-boulevardiere to the hilt. Her glassy tone and blithe celebrations of life make her a latter-day female counterpart to Maurice Chevalier, the quintessential French entertainer… And she offers an unspoken guarantee that you'll think you paid for the evening in euros.” More…
Ed Vincent for Oak Park Journal
“The sweet voice of Claudia Hommel will make you want to buy chocolates and dance along the Seine, to travel to Paris sooner than you had planned, or to relax in comfort and feel as though you have just returned from France.”
Art Hilgart for “Broadway Revisited” on National Public Radio
“Those who remember Germaine Montero and Juliette Greco will be rewarded by this recital, as will those who have no memories of those mid-century chanteuses. Paris born Claudia was raised in America and is now a Chicagoan, fortunate because these performances also feature violin virtuoso John Frigo. Along with accordion and rhythm section they perform a bilingual bi-national program ranging from the serious to the jazzy, with Parisian touches. The lighter numbers are especially felicitous.”
Joe Hannan for New York Native: "A soprano with bright, silvery voice and sharp, clear diction, Hommel sang with great verve, savoring each poetic nuance."
Paul Edson for Detroit Center News: "Petite Claudia Hommel was the evocation of every French chanteuse from those painted by Toulouse-Lautrec through Yvette Guilbert and on to Edith Piaf."
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