Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829).
Guitar virtuoso, heir to the lutenists of old, friend of 
Beethoven and Rossini, composed concerti, chamber 
music, and songs, as well as guitar solos and duets.

Mauro Giuliani is one of the most celebrated guitarist-
composers from the nineteenth century. Giuliani was 
born in Bisceglie, Italy, in 1781. He began his studies 
on the cello. He soon moved to guitar. In 1806 he was 
drawn to the musical city of Vienna. There he became 
friends with Beethoven. In 1819 he returned to Italy, 
first to Venice then to Rome. In Rome, he befriended 
Rossini. Giuliani died in Naples in 1829. Giuliani was a 
prolific composer, composing concerti, chamber music, 
and songs, as well as guitar solos and duets. His opus 
numbers reach over 150. He wrote Variations on 
Themes by Handel, Mozart and Beethoven. He 
arranged operas of Rossini for two guitars. His 
teaching method, Studio per la Chitarra, is still prized 
today. Giuliani was so popular that his fans established 
a magazine in his honor called The Giulianiad.