Latest news with #Weimar
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Ute Lemper Still Sings Songs of Rebellion. The Stakes Are Still High.
'Welcome to Weimar — to the year 2025,' Ute Lemper announced. The German-born singer and actress was greeting friends and colleagues who had squeezed into the Birdsong Society's small headquarters by Gramercy Park to hear her perform songs from her latest album, which celebrates Kurt Weill, a composer Lemper has championed for four decades. Sliding into the album's title number, 'Pirate Jenny,' Lemper got even closer to a listener who had been standing just a few feet away, fixing him with a snarling grin. Featured in 'The Threepenny Opera,' the most celebrated of Weill's noted collaborations with the playwright Bertolt Brecht, the tune has been covered by artists from Nina Simone to Judy Collins. It's also the only standard written from the perspective of a hotel maid waiting for a ship of pirates to arrive and, at her behest, murder all the guests. 'It's a song about revolution and rebellion,' Lemper explained in an interview before the event. The singer is less intimidating in conversation than she is when channeling bloodlust. She'll turn 62 in July, and with her long, lean frame and impossibly high cheekbones, she still projects the cool beauty of a runway model. Lemper was perceived as something of a rebel herself, at least in her native country, when Decca Records released 'Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill' in 1988. The album, which evolved from 'a little fringe record I made in Berlin' a couple of years earlier, earned Lemper an international fan base — with one notable exception. 'The Germans hated it,' Lemper recalled. 'They weren't interested in speaking about the past.' Decca's chief executive at the time, Roland Kommerell, German himself, had started a project dedicated to bringing back music that had been banned under the Nazis, including classical symphonies and Weimar-era cabaret songs — music composed by Jews who were persecuted or, like Weill, forced into exile. 'It was a huge chapter to rip open; it was still bleeding at the time,' Lemper said. 'And suddenly, I was in the position to have to respond to hundreds of journalists about this music. I became almost the representative of my generation, the Cold War generation, in Germany.' Lemper lived for a while in Paris and in London, where she starred in the Brecht- and Weill-inspired musicals of John Kander and Fred Ebb, winning an Olivier Award for her portrayal of the merry murderess Velma Kelly in 'Chicago,' a role she also played on Broadway. Since 1998 she has called New York home; she currently resides on the Upper West Side with her second husband, the musician Todd Turkisher. Turkisher played percussion on 'Pirate Jenny,' which also features 'Mack the Knife,' 'My Ship,' 'Speak Low' and 'Surabaya Johnny.' Co-produced by David Chesky, Turkisher's frequent collaborator, and Lemper, the tracks wrap her pungent, dramatically astute vocals — applied through the years to the words and music of artists as diverse as Jacques Brel, Philip Glass, Nick Cave and the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda — in Chesky's atmospheric, often eerie arrangements. The album sprang from a conversation Lemper had last year with Chesky, who released it on his label, the Audiophile Society. Lemper pointed out to Chesky, also a composer, that 2025 would be the 125th anniversary of Weill's birth. 'And he said, 'you should do something different. Let's make it more accessible for a new generation, with a groovy component, but without watering down the strength of the stories.'' In an email exchange, Chesky wrote, 'Ute owns this genre of Weill material; she understands the world of Brecht and Weill better than anyone I have ever encountered. But I proposed to her, what if we took these classic songs and set them in this dark, late-night, Berlin cabaret vibe, while using the electronic language of today's music? Then you have versions that still honor the songs but have a more direct connection to today's world.' Adrienne Haan, another German-born, New York-based singer who has won acclaim performing a range of international material, including Weill's songs, was a teenager when she first discovered Lemper. In a phone interview, Haan, 47, said she had been influenced by many artists who recorded from the 1920s through the '50s, 'but Ute was much closer to my age, and she was such a strong interpreter. There was a certain steel in her voice, and I found it fascinating that someone from Germany, from the generation above me, could make it in America.' A prolific live performer, Lemper will trace Weill's life and songbook on May 27 and 29 at the Manhattan cabaret venue 54 Below. The engagement follows one earlier this month at Neue Gallerie, where she presented another favorite program, 'Rendezvous With Marlene,' based on a three-hour phone conversation she had in the late 1980s with another German woman known for denouncing Hitler: Marlene Dietrich. Lemper had written Dietrich, then in her late 80s, 'to apologize' for comparisons that had been drawn between them, 'and to thank her for the inspiration she had given to generations of women,' she said. 'Marlene was a woman ahead of her time; she raised the gender question 100 years ago — she was bisexual, she dressed like a man,' she added. 'And she became an American citizen and fought against the Nazis, entertaining troops on the front lines. She wanted to go home later, but the Germans thought she was a traitor.' Attentive to history's darker recurrences as well as its nuances, Lemper is wary of certain comparisons that have been made involving President Trump. 'There is only one Hitler,' she said, but called the current moment a 'new chapter,' that is 'really worrisome' in no uncertain terms. Lemper has also been interested in expressing herself more through songwriting. In 2023 she released 'Time Traveler,' consisting entirely of original material, as well as a memoir in German with the same title, 'Die Zeitreisende' — featuring an epilogue by her daughter, Stella, who just earned her master's degree in creative writing at Columbia University. 'I had already published a memoir when I was 30,' Lemper mused. 'An East German publisher asked me to write it, because so much had already happened with my career, and living through the fall of the Wall.' She hopes the new book, which has been translated into Italian, can also be made available in English: 'I incorporated tales from those times, and obviously followed that up with more decades of life and motherhood and ups and downs. I so appreciate aging. I would never want to turn the wheel back — except maybe for a little less backache, and a new hip.' Lemper is considering a replacement, but only when she can find time in her schedule — which this spring alone has also included a German revival of a staging of Brecht and Weill's 'The Seven Deadly Sins,' which she first performed in more than three decades ago. 'We're going to take it to Paris next year, and then London,' she said. 'I still have more to give, and I have to give it at every performance. The more you give, the more you have.'
Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Italy's Tajani tells Israel to halt Gaza offensive
FILE PHOTO: Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press following talks of the \"Weimar+\" group focused on Ukraine and the future of European security at Lancaster House in London, on May 12, 2025. ADRIAN DENNIS/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo ROME - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday urged Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza, saying that Palestinian civilians must no longer pay the price of war. "We have to tell the Israeli government 'that's enough'," Tajani said in a statement. "We no longer want to see the Palestinian population suffer. Stop the attacks, let's secure a ceasefire, free the hostages, but leave in peace a people who are victims of Hamas," he added. His remarks followed an announcement by Israel's military that it was mobilizing to expand operations in the Gaza Strip as Palestinian health authorities said at least 146 people had been killed in the past 24 hours in continuing Israeli airstrikes. Tajani's comments reflect growing international disquiet over Israel's relentless attacks on Gaza, which began after Hamas militants launched a deadly cross-border assault on Israel on Oct. 7 and took about 250 people hostage. Israel's military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, pushing nearly all its 2 million inhabitants from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Tajani is due to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome later on Saturday. The Italian government has been one of Israel's most vocal supporters within Europe, but unease is building over the devastation being wrought on Gaza. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Ukraine's allies pile pressure on Putin to join Zelensky for peace talks
The Foreign Secretary hosted his counterparts from from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU on Monday, where they discussed the future of Ukraine after a weekend diplomatic blitz by world leaders. Volodymyr Zelensky has called on his Russian counterpart to meet him face-to-face this Thursday in Turkey, for talks aimed at ending the war. European leaders at the Monday gathering suggested such talks must be accompanied by a truce. But Russia has overnight bombarded Ukraine with more than 100 drones, and has said there can be no preconditions for talks. In a statement released after talks by the Weimar+ group of nations at Lancaster House in central London, the foreign ministers of the countries present said Russia 'has not shown any serious intent to make progress'. In an effort to pile pressure on Mr Putin, they added: 'It must do so without delay. We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.' Peace will only last if 'Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack', they added, also saying Kyiv 'should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression' with support from its allies. Mr Lammy had earlier urged the Russian leader to step up to the table. 'This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about,' he told reporters. Ukraine's foreign affairs minister Andrii Sybiha joined the meeting via a video call. Sanctions against Russia's 'banking, central bank, and energy sectors' were among the measures under discussion at the meeting aimed at coaxing Mr Putin into bringing the war to and end, he said in a post on X. I am grateful to @DavidLammy for inviting me to participate online in today's London meeting, in our regular and effective format, together with our allies Germany @AussenMinDE, Italy @Antonio_Tajani, Spain @jmalbares, Poland @sikorskiradek, the EU @kajakallas, and France… — Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 12, 2025 Several European leaders at the London gathering earlier indicated they wanted to see Russia stop its attacks on Ukraine before peace talks could begin in earnest between the two combatants' leaders. 'If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire,' EU commission vice president Kaja Kallas said. She added: 'We want to see that Russia also wants peace. 'It takes two to want peace, it takes only one to want war, and we see that Russia clearly wants war.' Meanwhile, Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the Russian consulate in Krakow would be closed after officials had discovered links to an act of arson at a shopping mall in Warsaw. 'This is completely unacceptable, so the Russian consulate will have to leave,' he told reporters. The Foreign Secretary insisted Ukraine's allies would work to place it in a 'position of strength' and 'counter the threat' of Mr Putin, as he spoke at the top of the meeting. US president Donald Trump on Sunday said Ukraine must respond to a request for talks from the Russian leader 'immediately', and suggested he was 'starting to doubt' whether Kyiv is willing to make a deal with Moscow. Sir Keir travelled to Kyiv on Saturday alongside his French, German and Polish counterparts for talks with Mr Zelensky about the coalition of the willing plans. Speaking at a press conference in the Ukrainian capital, the Prime Minister said that European allies 'together with the US' are 'calling Putin out', urged him to accept the 30-day truce and pledged to ramp up sanctions further if he 'turns his back on peace'.
Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Trump says he could attend potential Russia-Ukraine talks
PA Media/dpa Kiev/London US President Donald Trump said there was a chance he could travel to Turkiye for possible talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'I don't know where I'm going to be on Thursday, I've got so many meetings,' Trump told reporters before departing on a three-nation trip to the Middle East. 'But I was thinking about actually flying over there. There's a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen. But we got to get it done.' Zelensky welcomed Trump's potential involvement, calling for a comprehensive ceasefire and expressing support for face-to-face negotiations with Putin in Istanbul on Thursday. While it was Putin who floated the time and place for the direct talks between the sides, it was never clear that he intended to take part himself. But Zelensky responded on Sunday to the offer and challenged Putin to show up. In comments about the war on Monday, the Kremlin did not say whether Putin would meet Zelensky. A spokesman continued to reject calls by Kiev and its allies for a 30-day ceasefire. 'Of course, we in Ukraine would like President Trump to be present at this meeting in Turkey,' Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He confirmed he would personally go to Istanbul for a meeting, which he hoped would be hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 'We can change a lot,' he said. Russia must show 'without delay' it is willing to broker peace in Ukraine, Kiev's leading European allies have said after UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy insisted President Vladimir Putin must 'get serious' about negotiations. Lammy hosted his counterparts from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU on Monday, where they discussed the future of Ukraine after a weekend diplomatic blitz by world leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on his Russian counterpart to meet him face-to-face this Thursday in Turkey, for talks aimed at ending the war. European officials at the Monday gathering suggested such talks must be accompanied by a truce. But Russia has overnight bombarded Ukraine with more than 100 drones, and has said there can be no preconditions for talks. In a statement released after talks by the Weimar+ group of nations at Lancaster House in central London, the foreign ministers of the countries present said Russia 'has not shown any serious intent to make progress.' In an effort to pile pressure on Putin, they added: 'It must do so without delay. We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.' Peace will only last if 'Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack,' they added, also saying Kiev 'should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression' with support from its allies. Ukraine's foreign affairs minister Andrii Sybiha joined the meeting via a video call. Lammy insisted Ukraine's allies would work to place it in a 'position of strength' and 'counter the threat' of Putin, as he spoke at the top of the meeting.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Vladimir Putin issued peace talks warning as European foreign leaders meet in UK
Ukraine's allies on Monday joined together to pile pressure on Russian President Putin, calling on him to show "without delay' he is willing to broker peace in Ukraine Vladimir Putin must "get serious" about engaging in peace talks, David Lammy has warned. Ukraine 's allies on Monday joined together to pile pressure on the Russian President, calling on him to show "without delay' he is willing to broker peace in Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary hailed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky for his "willingness to engage in talks" ahead of a gathering of European foreign ministers in London. Mr Lammy hosted his counterparts from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU, where they discussed the future of Ukraine and security in Europe after a weekend diplomatic blitz by world leaders. After the meeting, Kyiv's leading European allies said any talks between Mr Zelensky and Putin must be accompanied by a truce. It comes after the Ukrainian President called on his Russian counterpart to meet him face-to-face this Thursday in Turkey. But Russia has said there can be no preconditions for talks and bombarded Ukraine with more than 100 drones overnight. In a statement released after talks by the Weimar+ group of nations at Lancaster House in central London, the foreign ministers said Russia "has not shown any serious intent to make progress". In an effort to pile pressure on Putin, they added: "It must do so without delay. We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace." Peace will only last if "Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack", they added. They also said Kyiv "should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression" with support from its allies. Several European leaders at the London gathering indicated they wanted to see Russia stop its attacks on Ukraine before peace talks could begin in earnest between the two leaders. Mr Lammy earlier added: "This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks.' Mr Starmer travelled to Kyiv on Saturday alongside his French, German and Polish counterparts for talks with Mr Zelensky about the coalition of the willing plans. Speaking at a press conference in the Ukrainian capital, the Prime Minister said that European allies "together with the US" are "calling Putin out". He urged him to accept the 30-day truce and vowed to ramp up sanctions further if he "turns his back on peace". Meanwhile Donald Trump, who is expected to be in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, floated making a detour to Turkey to join any potential talks between Ukraine and Russia. The US president said on Sunday afternoon that Ukraine should agree to Mr Putin's request for talks "immediately" and that he is "starting to doubt" whether Kyiv is willing to make a deal with Russia.
