Mauro Giuseppe Sergio Pantaleo Giuliani was born on July 27, 1781, in Bisceglie, Italy, and died on May 8, 1829, in Naples, Italy. He was an Italian guitarist, cellist, singer, and composer, recognized as a leading guitar virtuoso of the early 19th century. Giuliani's early musical training was on the cello, an instrument he never completely abandoned, and he may have also studied the violin. He later dedicated himself to the guitar, quickly becoming a skilled performer.

Giuliani moved to Vienna around 1806, where he gained fame as a guitar virtuoso and began publishing his compositions. His concert tours across Europe earned him acclaim for his virtuosity and musical taste, and he became a celebrated figure in Vienna's musical circles, associating with prominent composers like Rossini and Beethoven. In 1815, he participated in the "Dukaten Concerte" at Schönbrunn Palace and was the official concert artist for the Congress of Vienna celebrations. He also played, likely on cello, in the first performance of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony in 1813.

Giuliani's compositions include concerti, chamber music, songs, and numerous works for guitar. He was instrumental in defining a new role for the guitar in European music and developed a successful teaching career, with students such as Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz and Felix Horetzky. Financial reasons led him to leave Vienna in 1819, after which he returned to Italy, spending time in Trieste, Venice, and finally settling in Rome. His legacy as a composer and performer remains significant in the world of classical guitar music.