Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829), guitar virtuoso, composed concerti, chamber music and songs, as well as guitar solos and duets. His music is characterized by virtuoso playing with cascades of notes on the upper strings and lyrical passages on the lower ones: brilliant and dazzling music. He studied violoncello, flute and guitar as a child, and later devoted himself exclusively to the guitar, concertizing at first in Italy and France. His music of this period displays an exclusively Italian influence.
In 1806 he went to Vienna, where he was admired as guitar virtuoso, teacher and composer. He gave concerts together with Spohr, Hummel, Mayseder and Moscheles. Many of his compositions were published there.
In 1819 he left Vienna for Italy, where he was influenced by Rossini. There are his Rossiniane, which are fine potpourris based on themes from Rossini, and splendid arrangements for two guitars of overtures to Rossini operas. Other works are strongly Italian as well, such as the Potpourri Nazionale Romano op. 108 or the Variations on Neapolitan folksongs opp. 140 etc. He eventually settled in Naples, where he lived until his death.
