Antonio Lauro (August 3, 1917 – April 18, 1986) was a prominent Venezuelan musician, celebrated as one of the foremost South American composers for the guitar in the 20th century. Born in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, Lauro was the son of an Italian immigrant who was a barber, singer, and guitarist. Lauro's father introduced him to music, but passed away when Lauro was still a child. The family moved to Caracas, where Lauro pursued formal music studies in piano and composition at the Academia de Música y Declamación under the guidance of Vicente Emilio Sojo.

A pivotal moment in Lauro's life occurred in 1932 when he attended a concert by the Paraguayan guitarist Agustín Barrios in Caracas. Deeply inspired, Lauro shifted his focus from piano and violin to the guitar. He began classical guitar studies in 1933 with Raúl Borges at the National Conservatory, becoming the first Venezuelan guitarist to perform major works and contributing to the guitar's acceptance as a significant instrument in Venezuela.

Lauro was a fervent cultural nationalist, dedicated to celebrating Venezuela's musical heritage. From 1935 to 1943, he was a member of the Trio Cantores del Trópico, touring nearby countries to promote Venezuelan music. He was particularly drawn to the valses venezolanos (Venezuelan waltzes) of the 19th century, which he believed should be part of the guitar repertoire. This led to the creation of popular pieces such as Tatiana, Andreína, and Natalia.

In addition to guitar compositions, Lauro wrote works for orchestra, choir, piano, and voice, though many remain unpublished. His commitment to democracy led to his imprisonment by the military junta of General Marcos Pérez Jiménez in 1951-1952. Lauro continued composing during his imprisonment and later downplayed the experience, considering it a common occurrence for Venezuelan men of his generation.

Lauro's colleagues, including Alirio Díaz, played a crucial role in bringing his works to an international audience, capturing the attention of renowned guitarists like Andrés Segovia and John Williams. Antonio Lauro passed away in Caracas, leaving a lasting legacy as a key figure in Venezuelan and classical guitar music.