Gaspar Sanz, born Francisco Bartolomé Sanz Celma, was a prominent Spanish composer, guitarist, and priest, baptized on April 4, 1640, in Calanda, Bajo Aragón, Spain. He came from a wealthy family and pursued studies in music, theology, and philosophy at the University of Salamanca, where he later became a Professor of Music. Sanz traveled to Italy, studying under notable musicians such as Orazio Benevoli and Cristofaro Caresana, and learned guitar from Lelio Colista, drawing influence from Italian guitarists like Foscarini, Granata, and Corbetta.

Upon returning to Spain, Sanz was appointed as the guitar instructor to Don Juan, the recognized natural son of King Philip IV. He authored three significant volumes on baroque guitar techniques: "Instrucción de Música sobre la Guitarra Española" (1674), "Libro Segundo de cifras sobre la guitarra española" (1675), and "Libro tercero de música de cifras sobre la guitarra española" (1697). These works, published together in eight editions, are crucial to the classical guitar repertoire, featuring compositions in both punteado and rasqueado styles.

Besides his musical achievements, Sanz was also a poet and writer, known for translating Jesuit Daniello Bartoli's "L'huomo di lettere" into Spanish. He passed away in Madrid in 1710, leaving a lasting legacy in Spanish baroque music and classical guitar pedagogy.