Songs in an Intimate Setting

Performance Spaces and Formats

Claudia's concerts and cabaret shows are custom-made to be played in one act or in two; as intimate theatre piece with sets and lighting; large-ensemble musical evening, or nightclub act of one to four sets. Only a piano or accordion is required to create a magical evening of theatre and song.

Repertoire of Programs

Claudia Hommel's repertoire encompasses French chanson, American standards, 19th and 20th century art songs and theatre music. The following shows are in her repertoire.

Women of Paris: the great ladies of song

An homage to the 20th century women who brought Paris to the rest of the world with their songs, among them: Yvette Guilbert, Paulette Darty,Mistinguett, Josephine Baker, Bricktop, Lucienne Boyer, Juliette Gréco, Edith Piaf. Created with pianist/music director Bob Moreen. Performed in one-act or two. -- Madame Arthur, Fascination, Mon homme, J'ai deux amours, Chanson des vieux amants, Parlez-moi d'amour, Padam padam and more!

The Jazz Fauré Project

Claudia is joined by singer Sean Harris and jazz combo in this fantasia where French Impressionism meets American Jazz. A sure delight for pop, chamber music and jazz aficionados. The surprise is to hear what happens when the 19th century melodies of Gabriel Fauré start to "swing". It's like jazz in Monet's garden, dancing at Renoir's picnic, singing the blues on a rainy day in Paris. Pianist and arranger Bobby Schiff and others reanimate the hit tunes-- Mai, Lydia, Nocturne, Les roses d'Ispahan, Ici-bas, Au bord de l'eau, Adieu, Après un rêve, Mandoline, Spleen and more!

Paris in the Jazz Age, a cabaret concert.

Bob Moreen and Claudia Hommel pay homage to the cakewalk, ragtime, the Charleston, Josephine Baker, Ada "Bricktop" Smith, Mistinguett, Maurice Chevalier, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, Claude Debussy, Kurt Weill, and the "crazy years" between the two World Wars..

Souvenirs of Paris, 1950 - cabaret theatre

The most widely-performed of Claudia's cabaret theatre programs, Souvenirs of Paris, 1950 introduces Marcelle, a Parisian cabaret owner who recounts through song and spoken word the events of her life in France during and after World War II. The musical revue features songs made famous by Edith Piaf, Juliette Gréco and Yves Montand and songs celebrating the Paree of American composers Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Vernon Duke.

Romance Language: French songs for lovers

Claudia Hommel brings together an exquisite ensemble of her favorite players to flirt, caress, love, lose, remember, and celebrate. So light a candle, pop a champagne cork, and nestle close to your amour.

Here's an opportunity to hear the legendary jazz violinist Johnny ("romance is my specialty") Frigo play off of Claudia's coquetry, with Mon coeur est un violon, Sous le ciel de Paris (Under Paris Skies), Moulin Rouge, Mon manège à moi, Mon amant de Saint Jean, Padam...padam, April in Paris, Parlami d'amore, Mariu' (in Johnny's crooning Italian), Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc (Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White) and Que reste-t-il de nos amours (I Wish You Love). Enjoy Romance Language video excerpts on this site.

Picasso and Matisse Go to the Music Hall,

an illustrated cabaret concert, commissioned by the Frick Art Museum of Pittsburgh to accompany French paintings on tour from the Kelingrove Galleries, Glasgow. From the titillating "Valentine" to the heart-rending "Bravo pour le clown", this collection of songs and paintings brings the audience to their feet. "We have never heard such accolades from our Music for Exhibitions audience as we did last night... your performance was the best in our series. We were all transported to Paris, if just for a few hours."

A Workingperson's Cabaret

This cabaret tips its hat to Studs Terkel, whose interviews with workers opened our eyes to the nature of work and workers, on the job and off.

Songs of a Spanish Flavor - a recital

Claudia Hommel's exploration of songs from and inspired by Spain and Latin America. The recital begins with the popular Amatorios Madrigales of Joaquin Rodrigo and ends with a sample of nueva cancion (new songs) from Cuba, Argentina, and Nicaragua. In between are songs of Hugo Wolf, Cinco Canciones Negras of Xavier Montsalvatge, a selection of Tonadillas by Granados and songs by Paul Bowles, Richard Hundley, and Leonard Bernstein (including his powerful tribute to the Puerto Rican poet, Julia de Burgos).

French Impressions

A rendez-vous for soprano and pianist in homage to the Belle Eqoque and beyond.

Espresso: a tasty blend of 4 Chicago voices

Four of Chicago's favorite cabaret singers bring their vast repertoires together to enchant new audiences with the best of the American and European songbooks. The debonair singer/pianist Bob Moreen and coquette Claudia Hommel are joined by the encyclopedic John Eskola and sultry singer/pianist Elizabeth Doyle. With years of stagecraft and a sure way with an audience, Espresso is charming, disarming, witty, cosmopolitan and just-plain-down-to-earth.

Funding

Some suggestions for presenters and teachers faced with the challenge of funding.

Reviews

Accolades from presenters, audience and critics.