Mauro Giuliani (1781–1829) was a guitarist and composer, considered to be one of the leading guitar virtuosi of the nineteenth century. Born in Bisceglie, Italy, Giuliani studied in Barletta where he moved with his brother Nicola in the first years of his life. His first instrumental training was on the cello - an instrument which he never completely abandoned - and he probably also studied the violin. Subsequently he devoted himself to the guitar, becoming a very skilled performer on it in a short time.