Gaétan Morency, president and CEO of the Grand Théâtre de Québec since 2015, died during the night from Friday to Saturday of a heart attack.
“The sudden departure of Gaétan deeply saddens each member of the Grand Théâtre team. […] Appreciated by all, he knew how to bring out the best in people. We will miss him greatly,” declared Carole Théberge, president of the board of directors, in a press release.
40 years in culture
Born in Montreal, Gaétan Morency studied management at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC Montréal), before heading into the world of culture – an environment in which he evolved for 40 years.
He notably worked at the Cultural Enterprise Development Corporation (SODEC) and as general director of ADISQ.
He also collaborated with Cirque du Soleil for 20 years and notably set up a training program there.
Mr. Morency is also at the origin of the creation of TOHU, in Montreal.
The Minister of Culture reacts
“What sad news. I met Gaétan a few weeks ago. He still had a lot of motivation to make our culture shine. His contribution, notably to the Cirque, ADISQ and the Grand Théâtre, was remarkable. My thoughts are with his loved ones, a few days before Christmas,” said Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Youth and the Outaouais region, on X.