Giovanni Battista Granata was born in 1620 or 1621. He was born in Turin but moved to Bologna around 1646, where he remained for most of his life. From 1651 to 1653 he was employed as liutista sopranumerario in the Concerto Palatino. He maintained his teaching and composing career throughout his life, but his main occupation was as a barber-surgeon, for which he became licensed in 1659. He died in 1687.

Granata is described as the most prolific guitarist of the seventeenth century, having published seven books during his lifetime. All seven books were published in Bologna. Along with pieces in the standard dance genre, he composed toccatas, preludes, and chaconnes. Three of his books also contain ensemble works. His fourth book, Soavi concenti (1659), is one of the few sources for the chitarra atiorbata, a five-course instrument with seven open basses.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Battista_Granata
• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5563731