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Italian composer and classical guitarist, pivotal in establishing the guitar as a concert instrument during the early Romantic era. Born in Naples, Carulli initially studied cello and counterpoint before mastering the guitar independently. He moved to Paris in 1808, becoming a central figure in the city's guitar scene. A prolific composer, he wrote over 400 works including concertos, chamber music, and influential pedagogical methods. His seminal 'Method, Op. 27' (1810) systematized guitar technique and remains foundational for students.

• Carulli was self-taught on guitar due to a lack of instructors in Naples, developing innovative techniques that expanded the instrument's capabilities.
• He designed the 'decacordo' (10-string guitar) with luthier René Lacôte around 1826, though it never gained mainstream popularity.
• Paris Conservatoire rejected his proposal to establish a guitar department, deeming the instrument insufficiently serious, prompting Carulli to focus on private teaching and publishing.
• His move to Paris coincided with the guitar's peak popularity there; he capitalized on this by collaborating with publishers like Richault to disseminate his works across Europe.
• Carulli died of natural causes in Paris at 71. His son Gustavo (1801–1876) continued his legacy as a guitarist-composer.