Antonio Carbonchi

Antonio Carbonchi was a 17th-century guitarist and composer who wrote two influential books on lute playing. Cabonchi was born in Florence, sometime around the year 1600. He joined the army of Tuscany in its war against the Turks, and for his courage in battle he was made a Knight of the Order of Tuscany. After his military service he became a musician, specializing in innovative music for the guitar family. Carbonchi's first book, Sonate de chitarra spagnola con intavolatura franzese, was published in Florence in 1640.