Matthew Xie

Matthew Xie is a passionate lutenist specializing in Historically Plucked Strings, fluent in both Renaissance and Modern Instruments, with a primary focus on instruments from the lute family, including the lute, theorbo, and baroque guitar. He has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the field, captivating audiences across the United States, Europe, and Asia with his exceptional solo performances and continuo playing.

Furthermore, Matthew's profound understanding of historically informed performance practices is showcased through his compelling interpretations, informed by extensive research and scholarship. His notable achievements include presenting his thesis, "Batterie and Baroque Guitars: An Analysis of 17th French Baroque Guitar Strumming Styles," at the Koninklijk Conservatorium’s Research Catalogue Conference in The Hague, Netherlands (2021), where he received accolades from the review board.

Matthew recently performed with the newly formed Central Coast Chamber Choir under the guidance of Daniel Henriks in a performance of early Bach and Buxtehude Cantatas. Additionally, he participated in a performance with the San Diego Bach Society, under the direction of Ruben Valenzuela and Tesserae Baroque, presenting Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610), commonly known as Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers. In the future, Matthew is planning to perform in multiple fringe concerts for the Berkeley Early Music Festival 2024 with the likes of Nash Baroque, the Areté Singers Network, and lutenist Jon Mendle.  Recently, he completed a two-month summer intensive at the Saluzzo Opera Academy in Italy, under the baton of Maestro Dominic Wheeler (Head of Opera Studies at the Guildhall School of Music), where he performed in triple-casted, fully staged productions of Handel's Alcina and Giulio Cesare to widespread acclaim in Saluzzo and its surrounding regions.

These recent performances and future engagements demonstrate Matthew's versatility and artistry in interpreting seminal works of the Baroque repertoire, as well as his commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new opportunities in the world of historical performance.

Matthew's dedication to his craft is underscored by his continuous pursuit of excellence, as evidenced by his participation in masterclasses with esteemed figures and his receipt of prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Samama Fellowship Program and consecutive scholarships from Holland. Graduating magna cum laude with a Master’s in Historical Performance Lute/Theorbo degree from the Koninklijk Conservatorium, Matthew's performances reflect the influences of his esteemed mentors and his commitment to the art of historical performance.

Currently based in San Francisco, Matthew is actively engaged as an award-winning continuo player, chamber musician, soloist, instructor, and clinician.

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