Matteo Carcassi (1792 -1853), was a famous Italian guitarist and composer. Carcassi began
with the piano, but learned guitar when still a child. He quickly gained a reputation as a
virtuoso concert guitarist. He moved to Germany in 1810, gaining almost immediate success. In
1815, he was living in Paris, earning his living as a teacher of both the piano and the guitar.
On a concert tour in Germany in 1819, he met his friend Antoine Meissonnier for the first
time. Also a famous guitarist, Meissonnier published many of Carcassi's works in his Paris
publishing house.
Carcassi wrote a method for guitar (op. 59) that remains valuable, relevant and interesting.
His most famous works are collected in his 25 Etudes op. 60. In these, he managed to blend
technical skills and brilliant romantic music. This is the reason his music is still played by so
many classical guitarists today.