Photography: Noah Valentyn
Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen
Interview: Paul Hofman
Not only as an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam does opera singer Francis van Broekhuizen (42) achieve her dream debut, but later this year with the Nationale Opera as well. Between her various performances she talks about her life, work, ambassadorship and life motto. “Humour makes life lighter.”
She couldn’t have imagined as a child that she would become an opera singer. She grew up with two brothers in the upscale town of Wassenaar and after secondary school trained to become a social worker. After her classes she spent a lot of time on opera and singing, pouring her heart and soul into it. After completing her training she decided to follow her heart. Francis went to study singing in Amsterdam.
A good choice, as it soon turned out. She became a familiar face in the Dutch opera world, singing with renowned companies such as the Nederlandse Reisopera, Opera Zuid and Opera Spanga.
Since she was sixteen Maria Callas has been her great hero. “She was the greatest opera singer of the twentieth century. It was partly because of her singing and her artistry that I wanted to sing opera. Her life also captured my imagination: it was so intense.” Her teenage bedroom was plastered with Callas’ photos. “We all need people who can be role models. People we can mirror ourselves against or draw strength from.”
Francis has wonderful memories of the Euro Pride Gay Choir Festival she hosted two years ago at the Concertgebouw. “Amazing!”
This year will undoubtedly be a Pride she’ll never forget. “Apparently I’m seen as a role model because I present myself as a lesbian very naturally. I want to show young people that you are allowed to be who you are. I want to give them encouragement.”
Francis’ motto? “That with everything you are and do, you should try to be as true to yourself as possible. That’s what has brought me to where I am today.”
She will no doubt be heard everywhere during Pride, both literally and figuratively.
“HOMOSEXUALITY MUST NEVER BE AN ISSUE”
Pride Ambassador since 2018
