Tag Archives: singing

01/26/26

Renée Claude (1939-2020)

Renée Claude (1939-2020) was a Canadian actress and singer from Montreal, Québec, known for her interpretation of songs by Québec writers. Growing up, she studied piano at the École Vincent-d’Indy and took singing lessons with Alphonse Ledoux. As a teenager, she already decided that her life would be dedicated to singing. In 1960, she made her first television appearance on Radio-Canada television and quickly became known for her elegant and sensuous singing and deep respect for lyricists and composers. While her early repertoire focused on French chansons, she turned towards the work of local Québec writers, helping shape a distinctly Québécois song culture during the 1960s and 1970s.

Renée Claude was primarily an interpreter, devoting her career to performing the songs of others rather than composing her own material. She transitioned from performing at the boîte à chansons in Québec City, covering songs by French singer-songwriters like George Brassens and Leo Ferré, to working with local lyricists such as Jean-Pierre Farland, Stéphane Venne, Clemence Desrochers, and Luc Plamondon. Her major hits included “Tu es noire,” “C’est notre fête aujourd’hui,” and “Le début d’un temps nouveau.” Despite her shyness, she forged her own artistic path and earned widespread recognition, winning numerous awards, including the best song of the year in 1965. She also toured extensively across Europe, Québec, Ontario, and America, performing and representing Canada at international festivals and competitions.

Renée Claude brought honour to Québecers by performing and respecting local songwriters, never altering the songs. She was perceived as “the supreme interpreter,” with a tender voice, good taste, and intelligence of the lyrics. In the 1970s, Renée Claude embodied the liberated woman in Québec culture with her long black hair, large eyes, gypsy-style dresses, and sensual voice. She embodied the spirit of a society in transformation, representing the “beginning of a new time,” shaped by Québec’s Quiet Revolution, the liberalization of morals, women’s emancipation, and the growing assertion of Québec identity.

Renée Claude made incredible artistic choices, not only performing songs but also poems and monologues. In addition to her singing career, she had a talent for acting, pursuing it in theatre, opera, television, and film from the 1980s. She participated in the 1980 show, “Moi c’est Clémence que j’aime les mieux,” and the 1981 international success, “George Brassens, j’ai rendez-vous avec vous.” When asked to reflect on her life, she described her greatest achievement in life as being able to sing with sincerity. Renée Claude passed away on May 12, 2020, leaving behind a legacy defined by artistic integrity, elegance, and profound respect for the words of others.

Sources:

Ménard, Denise , and Suzanne Thomas, , and Benoît L’Herbier. “Renée Claude.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published January 20, 2010; Last Edited October 27, 2014. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/renee-claude-emc

ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Arts -. 2020. “Renée Claude : Chanter Les Autres Avec Élégance et Douceur.” Radio. Radio-Canada.ca. May 12, 2020. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1685647/renee-claude-interprete-chanteuse-quebec-carriere-archives

Taylor, Rachelle , and Hélène Plouffe. “Renée Claude.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published January 29, 2008; Last Edited July 17, 2015. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/renee-claude

Vigneault, Alexandre. 2020. “Renée Claude – Donne-Moi Le Temps: ‘L’interprète Suprême.’” La Presse. March 9, 2020. https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/litterature/2020-03-09/renee-claude-donne-moi-le-temps-l-interprete-supreme

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