Napoléon Coste gained international recognition in 1856 when he won second prize in the European competition for compositions for guitar organised in Brussels by the Russian guitarist Nikolai Petrovich Makaroff. The first prize had been awarded to Johann Kaspar Mertz, who had died only a few months earlier. Coste’s career continued uninterrupted in the French capital for many years, until he suffered a severe fracture of his arm in an accident, from which he was never to recover completely. He was obliged to abandon his concert career, although he continued to teach and to compose. He died in Paris on 14 January 1883.

Claudio Giuliani was born in Rome. He first studied with Fabrizio Cardassi and Tancredi Magenta, gaining his diploma at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome. He then continued his studies with the guitarist and composer Angelo Gilardino, gaining his postgraduate diploma at the Accademia Superiore Internazionale di Musica “L. Perosi” in Biella. Giuliani has made appearances in Italy and abroad as a solo performer, in various chamber groups, and with orchestra. He has given several premieres of contemporary works. His transcriptions for guitar of 82 Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (2 vols.) and of 30 Sonatas by Domenico Cimarosa have been published by Edizioni Bèrben; his critical edition of Anton Diabelli’s Sonatas op.29 has been published by Edizioni Ut Orpheus. His CD recordings include Trenta Sonate di Domenico Cimarosa and Tre Sonate op. 29 di Anton Diabelli.