Italian Guitarists

Giovanni Paolo Foscarini (c. 1600-1647) – Italian guitarist, lutenist, music theorist and composer. His “Il primo, secondo e terzo libro della chitarra spagnola”, published around 1630, is the earliest known engraved Italian guitar tablature and some of the earliest guitar sheet music ever published in history.

Angelo Michele Bartolotti (c. 1615 - c. 1681) – Italian guitarist, theorbist and composer. Part of a group of Italian musicians invited to the Court of Queen Christina of Sweden. His two volumes of guitar works were significant in the development of the guitar.

Francesco Corbetta (c. 1615-1681) – Italian guitarist, teacher and composer. Sometimes credited with teaching the guitar to King Louis XIV of France. His other pupils include Giovanni Battista Granata, Robert de Visée, Rémy Médard and Queen Anne of Great Britain.

Giovanni Battista Granata (c. 1620-1687) – Italian guitarist and composer. The most prolific guitarist of the 17th century. Music commentators have accused Led Zeppelin of plagiarizing the opening progression of their song “Stairway to Heaven” from Granata's “Sonata for Guitar, Violin and Basso Continuo”.

Ferdinando Carulli (1770–1841) – Italian composer and guitarist. Considered one of the greatest classical guitarists of all time. Invented the 10-string guitar (called the Décacorde) with Pierre Rene Lacote. Wrote more than 400 works for the guitar. His most influential work, the “Method, op. 70”, published in 1810, includes music that is still used today by student training to be guitarists.

Bartolomeo Bortolazzi (1773-1820) – Italian composer, guitarist and mandolinist. Composed many works for guitar and mandolin. Published a method for guitar which became a standard work in Austria in the 19th century.

Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) – Italian guitarist, cellist, singer and composer. The most important guitarist and composer of guitar music of the early 19th century. Considered one of the greatest classical guitarists of all time. He is credited as being responsible for the acceptance of the guitar as a solo instrument. He also invented a notation system for guitar that is still used today.

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) – Italian violinist, violist, guitarist and composer. Although best known as the greatest violinist of all time, he was also an accomplished guitarist. His compositions for solo guitar include 43 caprices and 37 sonatas. His most famous guitar work is his “Grand Sonata for Violin and Guitar”.

Matteo Carcassi (1792–1853) – Italian guitarist and composer. His most famous work is “25 Studies, op. 60”. His music is still played by many classical guitarists today.