Madeleine Careau

Madeleine Careau

Madeleine Careau has made immense contributions to the vitality and renown of Montreal’s cultural scene. Her work building and promoting the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), which she led for 24 years, made an indelible mark on the city’s cultural landscape.

As the chair of the OSM from 2000 to 2024, she was actively involved in recruiting music director and conductor Kent Nagano, who helped the OSM energetically pursue its role as an ambassador for Quebec while maintaining its privileged relationship with the community, while continuing to develop the audience and support emerging artists. Under her leadership, in January 2021 the OSM announced the appointment of Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare as the orchestra’s music director, opening a new chapter in the symphony’s history.

Under Ms. Careau, the OSM led the construction of a home concert hall worthy of the orchestra’s exceptional artistic standards, the Maison symphonique de Montréal (2011), and unveiled a monumental pipe organ, the Grand Orgue Pierre Béique (a gift of Ms. Jacqueline Desmarais). Ms. Careau also led the OSM’s Classical Spree mini-festival, an original idea by Kent Nagano.

Throughout her long career, Ms. Careau has worked behind the scenes to put the spotlight on artists, artisans and cultural workers. She serves on several boards, including that of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, and has always believed in promoting the development of the Quartier des Spectacles and making art more accessible to all communities.

Ms. Careau is a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec and was named a Compagne des arts et des lettres du Québec by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the province’s arts scene. In 2022, she received the Prix Denise Filiatrault, the highest distinction awarded by the Gouvernement du Québec for an individual’s remarkable contributions to the performing arts. In 2023, she was named Officer of the Ordre de Montréal, the municipal government’s highest honour.