Alirio Díaz was a celebrated Venezuelan classical guitarist and composer, born on November 12, 1923, in Carora, Venezuela. He passed away on July 5, 2016, in Rome, Italy. Díaz is renowned as one of South America's most prominent composer-guitarists and is highly regarded for his contributions to the classical guitar repertoire.

From a young age, Díaz showed a keen interest in music, initially learning guitar from his uncle. At 16, he moved to Carora to pursue better educational opportunities and later studied saxophone and clarinet under Laudelino Mejías in Trujillo while working as a typesetter. In 1945, he moved to Caracas to study guitar at the Escuela Superior de Música José Ángel Lamas under Raúl Borges.

In 1950, Díaz received a scholarship from the Venezuelan government to study in Madrid with Regino Sainz de la Maza. The following year, he attended the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy, where he studied with the legendary guitarist Andrés Segovia. Díaz impressed Segovia with his technique and repertoire, eventually becoming his assistant and substitute.

Díaz's international acclaim grew after Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo dedicated the piece "Invocación y Danza" to him, which won the First Prize at the ORTF International Composition Contest for Guitar in 1961. Díaz performed and recorded this challenging piece, further establishing his reputation.

Throughout his career, Díaz performed globally, blending baroque music with modern Latin American compositions. He was instrumental in promoting Latin American music, arranging and preserving traditional Venezuelan songs. Díaz also taught in Rome and performed with his son Senio. His legacy is honored through the Concurso Internacional de Guitarra Alirio Díaz, a guitar competition held in Venezuela.

Díaz's contributions to music endure through his recordings and arrangements, which continue to inspire guitarists worldwide. His profound musical insight and dedication to the guitar have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.