Melanson leaves TSO’s top job amid messy marriage breakup
Jeff Melanson’s star has been eclipsed by his personal life.
The president and chief executive of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has left the post only 18 months into his five-year mandate amid allegations of impropriety from his estranged wife, Eleanor McCain, a member of one of Canada’s richest and most influential families.
“In Jeff’s mind, and in the board’s mind, given some of the stuff he was wanting to focus on personally, it might not be opportune for him to be our CEO at this time,” said Richard Phillips, chairman of the TSO’s board, who would not disclose whether the TSO paid Melanson to end his employment.
Melanson’s resignation comes two weeks after McCain applied for an annulment of their short marriage (they married in April 2014), describing him in her court document as a remorseless manipulator who provided jobs for his romantic partners and “tricked” her into marriage to repair his reputation following allegations of sexual harassment in his previous role as head of The Banff Centre. None of the claims has been proven in court.
Melanson’s lawyer did not respond to a request for an interview.
“I believe in the bright future of the TSO and this is the right decision at this time for the musicians, staff and board for the TSO,” Melanson told the Star in an email.
“This is the right decision at this time for the musicians, staff and board for the TSO.” JEFF MELANSON IN AN EMAIL TO THE STAR
Phillips said there was no pressure from the TSO’s deep-pocketed donors to dismiss Melanson, nor were there any other external influences on the board, Phillips said. (Eleanor McCain’s mother, Margaret McCain, is a donor.)
Members of the orchestra said they were “disappointed” and “sorry” that Melanson left. Many called the situation “sad.”
The departure is the second time Melanson has left a job for personal reasons. Melanson arrived at the TSO in November 2014, fresh from an abbreviated term at The Banff Centre. He was appointed president there at age 40 in 2012 and launched an ambitious expansion program before leaving two years later, saying he wanted to be close to his three children, who were with their mother in Toronto.
Melanson had become the face of the TSO. He would speak to the audience before concerts, bounding on stage with a scarf raffishly tied around his neck.
On Halloween in 2015, when the orchestra wore costumes to play the accompanying score of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Melanson asked firsttime audience members to raise their hands. About a third of the audience did, drawn to Roy Thomson Hall to watch the horror movie in one of the growing partnerships between the TSO and other arts agencies under Melanson’s leadership. He urged newcomers to return and bring their friends.
Staff who worked with Melanson called the situation “unfortunate,” as his work was well regarded within the TSO. But they also said “something had to be done” once their leader was embroiled in negative publicity.
“Jeff really did lift the TSO to a new level,” said Phillips, who added his relationship with the former president is excellent.
Eleanor McCain’s spokeswoman, Deb McCain, said there would be no comment from Melanson’s estranged wife.
The TSO’s board held a private meeting last week, sparking speculation Melanson was leaving.
On Wednesday, city Councillor Norm Kelly, a member of the TSO board, refused to take calls on the subject. Music director Peter Oundjian, who was frequently photographed with Melanson, was unavailable to speak Wednesday.
Prior to Melanson’s appointment, the TSO had spent more than a year looking for a new president and CEO.
Board member Sonia Baxendale will act as interim CEO; Roberta Smith, the orchestra’s chief operating officer, stepped in as interim president previously and is still with the organization, as is Louie Fallis, vice-president of artistic planning. All are long-term, knowledgeable employees.
Melanson’s career as an arts administrator has included positions with the Royal Conservatory of Music’s community school as well as Canada’s National Ballet School; he was also special adviser on the arts to former mayor Rob Ford.