Théorbe 17 th century Guitar

Matthew grew up in Perth, Australia. He studied the classical guitar under John Casey from age 9 starting an unusual musical journey. Beginning with Casey's free private lessons during lunchbreak he attracted further informal stipendia and scholarships throughout his career from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London), Graham Abbott, Nigel Butterley and Geoffrey Lancaster amongst others.

Matthew lives in Berlin and specialises in the italian Tiorba, french Théorbe and the 17th century guitar. His love of the classical guitar continues in the form of compositions with "Birds and Stars" and improvisations, also using the electric guitar.

He performs with various orchestras as continuo lutenist and accompanies Nadja Zwiener - baroque violin (leader of "The English Concert") in the duo "il Duettino" - specialising in the intimate violin sonatas of 17th century Italy, Bohemia and Germany. He is accompanist to Susanne Langner (mezzo) and Steffanie Petitlaurent (soprano).

As a child Matthew exhibited an intense ability to quietly observe nature. His career utilises this gift to enhance his musicality and the reinvention of 17th century theorbo and guitar technique. He has his Master's Degree from the GSMD, London in 2002.