It is with much sadness that we share the news that acclaimed Melbourne-based Australian guitarist, composer and musical director Matthew James Fagan passed away on Monday 28 September, 2026. Matthew was a regular contributor to Australian Musician magazine and performer at our Melbourne Guitar Shows.
This sad news came via a message from Matthew’s partner Kellie, who wrote on social media:
“It is with a deeply heavy heart that I share the news that my beloved partner Matthew James Fagan passed away peacefully yesterday morning, Monday 28 September, surrounded by care at the hospital. We know how much Matthew was loved by his family, friends, and community.
We do not have a date or specific details for a service just yet, but we will share those updates here as soon as arrangements are made.
Thank you all so much for your warmth, love, and support during this incredibly difficult time.”
Matthew’s career spanned more than three decades and encompassed a remarkable breadth of musical styles and performance settings. Best known for his work as a classical and Spanish guitarist, Fagan developed a distinctive musical identity through his use of the ten-string classical guitar, while also incorporating flamenco, Celtic and European folk music, Latin music, jazz, fingerstyle and electric guitar into his performances. He established an extensive international career, performing and touring in more than 120 countries as both a solo artist and member of various ensembles and productions.
Over the course of his career he had collaborated with internationally recognised performers including Billy Connolly, Natalie Cole, the Original Buena Vista Social Club, Shirley Bassey and Michael Crawford. His musical education included studies at the Victorian College of the Arts and Monash University, where he pursued classical performance, improvisation, ethnomusicology, composition and education, while also studying and working with a number of prominent guitarists including John Williams, Paco Peña, Leo Kottke, Joe Pass, Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel.
‘Toccata’ Recorded for Australian Musician
Alongside his work as a performer, Fagan had developed a substantial career as a composer, arranger, producer and musical director. His compositions include large-scale works such as The Celtic Suite and Voyages, with Voyages developing into major Melbourne concert productions and the Twilight Concert at Federation Square, where he served as musical director for performances involving hundreds of musicians and performers. His concert productions have frequently combined guitar with orchestral music, visual presentation and other artistic disciplines, including projects such as Star Show and Earth Show.
Fagan also released a substantial catalogue of recordings, including Indigo Moon, Voyages and Journeys, One Day in Nashville, Virtuoso: A Homage to my Ancestors, Virtuoso 2, Festive Guitar and El Vito, the latter reflecting his continuing interest in Spanish classical and flamenco guitar. His concert production Lord of the Strings had become another important part of his career, presenting a wide-ranging repertoire that moved between classical, flamenco, Celtic, blues, rock and other traditions and showcasing the versatility of the ten-string guitar.
His work has also extended into television, festivals and large-scale public performances, with his arrangements and compositions appearing in Australian television productions and his performances featured at events including the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe festivals. A recurring theme in Fagan’s artistic work has been his interest in musical heritage and family history, particularly the legacy of his ancestor Cecil Parkes, a violinist associated with Dame Nellie Melba, which inspired his Virtuoso projects.
Across his career, Fagan had established himself not simply as a classical guitarist, but as a versatile musician whose work brought together classical and flamenco technique, folk traditions, improvisation, composition, orchestral performance, international touring and large-scale concert production.
Our condolences to Kellie and family. RIP Matthew James Fagan