Ferdinando Maria Meinrado Francesco Pascale Rosario Carulli, born on February 9, 1770, in Naples, Italy, was a seminal figure in the world of classical guitar. Initially trained on the cello by a local priest, Carulli discovered the guitar at age 20 and became a self-taught virtuoso due to the absence of professional guitar teachers in Naples. His unique style and talent quickly garnered him acclaim, leading to successful concerts across Europe.

In 1801, Carulli married Marie-Josephine Boyer, a Frenchwoman, and eventually settled in Paris, then the epicenter of the music world, where he lived until his death on February 17, 1841. In Paris, Carulli's reputation as a performer and teacher flourished, and he published the majority of his works there. His most influential contribution to guitar pedagogy was the "Méthode complète pour guitare ou lyre, op. 27" (1810), a comprehensive method book that remains a staple for guitar students.

Carulli was a prolific composer, with over 400 works to his name, including solo pieces, chamber music, and concertos. His compositions often featured the guitar in combination with other instruments, such as the violin or flute, and he collaborated with his son Gustavo on works for guitar and piano. Despite some of his more challenging pieces being initially rejected by publishers, Carulli's music, characterized by its early Romantic style, has endured.

In addition to his compositional and pedagogical achievements, Carulli contributed to instrument innovation by collaborating with luthier René Lacôte to create the Decacorde, a ten-string guitar. His legacy is marked by his role in elevating the guitar to a respected concert instrument, influencing generations of guitarists and composers.