Christian Kluxen, conductor
Christian Kluxen is now in his tenth season as Music Director of the Victoria Symphony in Canada, following a five-year tenure as Chief Conductor of the Arctic Philharmonic in Norway.
Kluxen has been described in the press as “a dynamic, charismatic figure” who “forms the music with an impressive vertical power of emotion and a focus on the grand form”, conducting “with exemplary clarity and a heavenly warmth”. He is recognized for his sincere and transparent leadership, innovative programming, and his bold, imaginative, and energetic interpretations, showcased both in his MD and guest work.
Alongside his many and varied commitments with the Victoria Symphony, recent and forthcoming guest engagements include Turku Philharmonic (where he was Principal Guest Conductor for three seasons) Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Pacific Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Odense Symphony, Aalborg Symphony and Norrköping Symphony. A fruitful and inspiring relationship with the Arctic Philharmonic, whom Kluxen led for five years as Chief Conductor, resulted in numerous exhilarating performances of a wide variety of repertoire, as well as several acclaimed recordings.
Alex Hetherington, mezzo-soprano
Praised for her “wonderfully rich, warm sound” (Opera Canada), mezzo-soprano Alex Hetherington was recently named one of CBC Radio’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30.” A graduate of the Canadian Opera Company (COC) Ensemble Studio, she returned to the COC in 2025/26 as Stéphano in Amy Lane’s Roméo et Juliette and made her role debut as Dorabella in Vancouver Opera’s Così fan tutte.
In concert, she joined the National Ballet of Canada for Procession, records with the National Arts Centre Orchestra under Alexander Shelley, and makes debuts with Boston Baroque in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and with Les Violons du Roy in Mozart’s Requiem. Recent highlights include Ian Cusson’s Songs from the House of Death with the Victoria Symphony, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Ottawa Chamberfest, and Duruflé’s Requiem with the Mandle Philharmonic.
Operatic credits include Siebel in Faust, Mercédès in Carmen, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (COC), Stewardess in Jonathan Dove’s Flight(Vancouver Opera), and more. Alex premiered the role of [Riley] in Nicole Lizée’ and Nicholas Billon’s R.U.R. A Torrent of Light(Tapestry Opera), earning her a 2022 Dora Mavor Moore Award. She holds graduate degrees from the University of Toronto.
