Cellist Trey Lee is the proud curator of Musicus Fest 2026, which will showcase 11 performances across Hong Kong from early November to mid-December. As founder of Musicus Society, he champions cross-cultural collaboration, heritage preservation, and nurturing young talent. This year’s highlights include international and local virtuosos, a first-ever collaboration with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and Italy’s renowned Mantua Chamber Orchestra.
In this interview, Trey Lee reflects on the universal appeal of Wang Liping’s The Dream of the Red Chamber, the joyous spirit of chamber music, and how Musicus Heritage Stories situate concerts within Hong Kong’s cityscape. He also discusses Histoires croisées: France – Hong Kong, his upcoming album exploring the musical ties between the two metropoles. From celebrating shared histories to inspiring younger artists, Trey Lee embodies his belief that “music serves as a bridge connecting languages, cultures, histories, communities, and generations.”
Trey Lee (Photo by Keith Hiro)
On November 21, you will perform as the soloist in Wang Liping’s The Dream of the Red Chamber Capriccio. Can you talk about how you arrange and blend the cello’s sound with traditional Chinese orchestral textures?
I think Wang Liping’s music is truly universal, with the power to transcend cultures and touch primal emotions in all of us. Of course, the original score was delivered through Chinese musical style and sensibilities. However, because the main melodies come from the human voice, you can appreciate them on a visceral level no matter your cultural background. As a cellist, the human voice has always inspired me, and this work is perhaps one of the greatest masterpieces for me to sing on my instrument. Every glissando and every shade of vibrato must be carefully considered when playing this work—asking myself, “Would a singer sound like this?” At the same time, I add technical aspects of the cello to the solo part, such as fast running notes that give the music extra energy and élan. I think all of that makes this version truly unique and an equally enjoyable way for the listener to appreciate Wang Liping’s magnum opus!
Trey Lee plays The Dream of the Red Chamber Capriccio
Can you share your story of hearing Wang’s O Sea, My Home and how it inspired you?
I think fate brought me to Wang Liping’s music. After I heard The Dream of the Red Chamber, I asked my mother if she knew that composer, and yes, he is a good friend and classmate of hers from conservatory! Of course, I then explored more of his music and came upon O Sea, My Home. It fits into my own life story so beautifully because, since birth, I have always been close to the sea in Hong Kong and then in New York. The idea of reminiscing about one’s home only adds to the allure of this music for me since I travel so much around the world away from home. In fact, to me, he is Uncle Wang!
Trey Lee and the composer Wang Liping
How do you get to know and invite this year’s guest, the Mantua Chamber Orchestra?
Mantua is perhaps the foremost chamber orchestra in Italy, and their interpretation of Italian masters like Vivaldi, Boccherini, and Bottesini flows naturally in their performances. When I hear them play these works, there is a sense of pure joy and excitement. This is something especially important for young musicians to learn. Often, we practice out of fear of making mistakes and forget that our performance should reflect the composer’s genius. When you hear this orchestra, there is no fear but only pleasure!
Mantua Chamber Orchestra
How does Musicus Society discover the Next Generation of Virtuosi?
We hold an annual competition open to young musicians in Hong Kong. Many of our players have come through this way. The most important thing when playing chamber music, such as works by Strauss and Mendelssohn, is learning to listen to each other. This is why chamber music is such an important part of one’s musical development—practising alone is not enough when you aspire to become a world-class musician.
Musicus Fest’s Next Generation Virtuosi
Can you talk about the choice of historical sites for Musicus Heritage Stories?
Folk-inspired music is a strong match for Tai Po’s agricultural and trade heritage site because we want to convey that folk cultures around the world come from the land. It is always a special feeling for the audience and the musicians to perform in a setting that gives the music even more significance. In this case, we can celebrate Tai Po’s farm culture alongside the inspiration Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Bartók drew from their own lands.
You founded the Musicus Society in 2010 and Musicus Fest in 2013. Can you share some highlights from the past two decades?
Education is definitely a very important part of Musicus Fest and Musicus Society. My idea of creating a family concert based on Marco Polo’s home city of Venice has really taken off and become a popular signature event. I love combining Marco Polo and the Venetian Carnival to show both Chinese and Western music and instruments. Hopefully, young children can be inspired to take up an instrument after seeing our concert!
Trey Lee narrates in Musicus Fest 2016 Children’s Concert
Can you share the latest developments at Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK)? How do you envision its future growth, especially with the upcoming projects ahead?
MSHK is a truly versatile group of young musicians from Hong Kong. It is the main ensemble featured on my new album, Histoires croisées: France – Hong Kong (French-Hong Kong Interwoven Stories), and we collaborated with players from the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and dancers from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts for the album launch concerts.
This multidisciplinary project will officially come to life this December, beginning with our album release under the British label Signum Records on December 4. We will then celebrate with a premiere launch concert on December 12 at Hong Kong’s historic Béthanie Theatre, and travel to Europe for a grand finale concert at Paris’s historic Salle Gaveau on December 18, bringing this Franco-Hong Kong narrative full circle.
Trey Lee’s Histoires croisées: France – Hong Kong
This album explores the fascinating, lesser-known historical and cultural ties between France and Hong Kong. A major highlight is a new arrangement of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, which beautifully blends Western classical music with traditional Chinese instruments. By weaving these unique heritage stories into our music, this recording marks a proud leap forward in MSHK’s growth as a globally recognised ensemble.
Since its launch, MSHK has also performed overseas in Germany, Hungary, Finland, and Mainland China. Next year, we look forward to more overseas tours as the ensemble gains wider recognition for its dynamic and riveting music-making. Hope you will all join us at one of our upcoming performances!
Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK)
In a previous interview, you remarked, “Mentally, I have an annual ticket for the museums in Berlin.” Can you share a few other things that inspire you and that you look forward to?
History inspires me greatly. My new album is coming out very soon. As I mentioned, it is about Hong Kong’s history involving French expats and locals who lived in the city during the past two centuries. Through music, I express the emotions of these histories and, hopefully, create a greater awareness and appreciation for our shared past. In addition, I will be making my debut with the Pacific Symphony in the US, the North German Radio Orchestra, and other return engagements in Mainland China and Italy.
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