Johanna Lehtonen

I’m in total shock after the terrible news that Chris has left us. We’ve worked together at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. Chris’s smile, positivity, kindness were always so heart warming. We hadn’t been in touch in years, when he randomly wrote me about a month ago to congratulate me on a performance he had…

I’m so shocked to hear of your death, Christopher. We met briefly in Munich when I revived George Benjamin’s opera Written on Skin, and your bright energy was utterly engaging. Your warmth, fun and clear talent shone at every moment and I can’t believe your light has been extinguished so soon. RIP

I met Chris for the first time when he was in 10th grade, and inquiring about private Viola lessons. One month later, he called back to sign on with me, his private teacher, for lessons, and he remained with me until he graduated from high school. We became close friends during that time. He was…

Where do songs go after they are sung? Now you have found the answer first. Prematurely. But that is not the end of music. We all will meet again and get ready for the next verse.

I heard about Christopher’s unexpected death and have been heart-broken ever since. It is not exaggerating to say he changed my life. Music and singing are so important to my sense of self and well being. I have worked (as a very amateur and inadequate singer) with many many conductors since childhood. Christopher was incomparable…

On behalf of The Royal Ballet Music Department I am sending all our condolences and sadness at the loss of Christopher. He had attended a lecture on ballet conducting at the Royal College of Music given by our Principal Guest Conductor Barry Wordsworth and had started to observe our work at the Royal Opera House….