Matteo Carcassi - one of the most famous italian guitarists of that time, composer and pedagogue, follower of F. Carulli. In the guitar history he is known as the author of "School of guitar playing" (1836) and pedagogical compositions. His etudes for the guitar are kept before our days. They are training material for every guitarist and they are considered as classical.
     Matteo Carcassi was born in Florence 1792. He began to play guitar from the childhood and working hard, achieved brilliant virtuosity and elegance. He wasn't twenty when he had in Italy the reputation of guitar virtuoso. 1815 he began to teach guitar and piano play in Paris. During his concert tour in Germany 1819 Carcassi got acquainted with the French guitarist Meissonier who created in Paris 1812 his own publishing house. Two guitarists were good friends and Meissonier published the majority of Carcassi compositions.
     In 1822, in London, after some concerts Carcassi was called the exclusive guitarist and pedagogue. Soon he returned to Paris, but visited London every year, he was always waited here.
     When Carcassi came to Paris, his talent was some time in a shadow of the other great italian guitarist-virtuoso Ferdinando Carulli, but soon he was recognized and had a great success.
     He yearly gave concerts in many towns of Europe. 1836 Carcassi returned to Italy, but his permanent residence was Paris till his death 1853.
     Thousands of young guitarists in the world know Carcassi as the author of guitar school, of method, which they use, and as the composer who has written many beautiful compositions and etudes. But Carcassi was also one of the greatest guitarists of the XIX century.