Claudie Vandenbroucque: 50 years of makeup at the Opéra

Claudie Vandenbroucque 50 Years of Opera Makeup

The end of the 2021–2022 season will mark an important turning point for the Opéra de Montréal’s production team. After nearly 50 years of dedication and good cheer within our institution, head makeup artist Claudie Vandenbroucque will take her final bow.

Time to meet a creative woman who has always been passionate about stage makeup.

A Stimulating and Constantly Evolving Milieu

Children’s television on Radio-Canada, the live broadcast of Bye Bye, highlevel meetings, funny stories, Gemini Awards, community involvement through the CoOpéra project, and a whole host of diverse stage productions: Claudie Vandenbroucque’s talent leaves us with an important legacy.

Since joining the Opéra de Montréal in the 1970s — when the company was known as the Opéra du Québec — the makeup artist has witnessed a major evolution within both the company and her own work.

“When I arrived, less was asked of makeup artists, and makeup was fairly basic. We did the artists’ makeup in a small space, whereas now we go to the soloists’ dressing rooms. It creates a nice intimacy, and the relationships I develop with each of them are among the things I love most about my work. That, and the constant evolution in makeup techniques.”

Innovation and Observation: The Keys to Successful Makeup Design

Although broad and somewhat coarse makeup was the norm when she started, Claudie Vandenbroucque always added a personal touch to her makeup designs — drawing inspiration from reference books and the singers’ own features to avoid caricature. During pre-production rehearsals, her eagle eye studied the smallest details on singers’ faces. She also noted interesting features in the metro, on the street, and at the grocery store.

“There are many subtleties you can enhance. When you create a character, you have to understand that character, inhabit it, and be daring enough to attempt it more than once. That’s what makeup design is really all about. My makeup techniques have evolved considerably over the years, but my work also evolves from one evening to the next. Between the pre-dress rehearsal and the final performance, I never do the same thing twice. I continue refining to the very last second.” A Top-Notch Team

With The Magic Flute, the makeup artist will take part for a final time in the well-oiled machine unfolding backstage and in the wings, where each person plays an important role in the success of the show. “Working with the dressers, hairstylists, technicians and stage managers is such a joy! We support one another, and have a great deal of respect for one another. Everyone always gives it their best, and everyone remains on their toes.”

Rather than serving the singers, she says it has been more like working in partnership to build a character. “Makeup is often the final touch before they take to the stage. There is something special that happens, and I love that. We often become friends. Their inner strength and vulnerability is touching. And, once they are onstage, all of their energy, all of their excitement carry right into the wings. As Pierre Lafontaine [head wigmaker at the Opéra de Montréal] and I often say, we are truly lucky to do this job!”

Until We Meet Again

It is precisely because Claudie still loves what she does so much that she is hanging up her brushes. “I am very happy, and I never get tired of doing stage makeup. Each opera is important and stimulating. But I have less energy these days. I have been planning my retirement for five years, quietly passing the torch to my daughter Véronique. I am ready. I am content, and feel I have explored everything I wanted to explore.”

Claudie has promised herself, however, to return to the Opéra de Montréal, this time in the audience. “I love how the Opéra de Montréal reinvents itself, offers original works, and enhances its repertoire. It is new and refreshing!”