Biography
Having received training as a string player, Legnani developed a deep commitment to both the guitar and vocal music. He performed tenor parts in arias by Cimarosa, Donizetti, and Rossini, although his unmatched virtuosity on the guitar drew the greatest attention. His debut recital on the instrument took place in Milan in 1819, and he later earned strong acclaim when he appeared in Vienna. Legnani formed a close association with Paganini that led the two musicians to present joint concerts at several courts. After withdrawing from performance around 1840, Legnani focused on constructing violins and guitars. Most of his works were written for solo guitar, and in that capacity he arranged numerous operatic arias for the instrument. Roughly two hundred fifty pieces for guitar came from his pen, among them the well-known arias, fantasias, and variations. The duets he created for flute or violin together with guitar remain his most compelling compositions.