The Biography of
Mauro Giuliani
1781-1829

Born in Biscelie, Mauro Giuliani's centre of Study was Barletta where he moved with his brother Nicola in his early childhood. He studied cello and probably violin, the former which he never fully abandoned. Subsequently he devoted himself to the six-string guitar, rapidly coming to be renowned as a skilled performer on the instrument. The teachers and movements of the young maestro are not known.

Married to Maria Guiseppe del Monaco, they bore their first child Michael in 1801, in Barletta. By age 25 years Giuliani, like many skilled guitarists frustrated by a public's fawning of opera, and neglect of the guitar, moved north to Vienna, Austria, without his young family. Here he began a relationship with a Fraulein Willmuth, with whom he had a daughter Maria, in 1807.

In the Austrian capital Giuliani competed with local talents such Simon Molitor and Alois Wolf, and became acquainted with the classical instrumental styles. Within a year he was publishing compositions in this style, followed by concert tours all over Europe. He achieved great success and was broadly regarded as a musical celebrity, acclaimed for his skills and taste.

By 1808 Mauro Giuliani was at the forefront of defining a new role for the guitar in the classical guitar movement in Vienna. The premiere of his Guitar concerto (op.30) with full orchestral accompaniment was received with great public acclaim. He moved in the high social circles, was acquainted with the likes of Rossini and Beethoven, and collaborated with best performers. Indeed he performed in the orchestra on the premiere of Beethoven's 7th symphony, probably on the cello.

Vienna                                   

In the botanical gardens of the Schonbrunn Palace he acquired further prominence through a series of concerts in 1815, called the "Dukaten Concerte" named the price a ticket, which was one Ducat.In the same year he was invited as the official concert artist for the celebrations of the congress of Vienna. Additionally, in 1814, he held a position of 'virtuoso ororario di camera' to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon's second wife.

Mauro Giuliani's Duo Concertante in
E minor, op.25 performed
by
Patrick Sise, guitar and Alum Robert Radliffe, violin

Mauro Giuliani's Rondo performed
by Robert Bekkers and Anne Ku

Giuliani made transcriptions
of selections from
Operas by
Gioacchino Rossini

Outstanding works :Three guitar concertos Op. 30, 36 and 70
Fantasias based on Airs by Rossini entitled the Rossiniane Op. 119-124
Grand Overture for Guitar Transcription of the Overture to The Barber of Seville.

Today Giuliani's works are widely performed by professionals and amateurs alike.

Other Romantic guitar composers :