Luigi Rinaldo Legnani (1790–1877) was an Italian virtuoso guitarist, singer, composer and instrument maker, born in Ravenna. Trained as a string player in his youth, he first pursued a career as an operatic tenor, debuting in Ravenna in 1807 and singing professionally for some 17 years. His guitar career began in earnest with a concert in Milan in 1819, followed by celebrated appearances in Vienna in 1822, 1833, and 1839. He was a contemporary and friend of Niccolò Paganini from the 1830s onward, though claims that the two performed together publicly are unsubstantiated. After retiring from performance in the 1850s, Legnani became an instrument maker specializing in guitars and violins, and he died in Ravenna in 1877.

Legnani composed roughly 250 works, published widely by major European houses during his lifetime, and is best remembered for his 36 Caprices, Op. 20, which traverse all major and minor keys in a manner likely inspired by Paganini’s 24 Caprices for solo violin. His virtuosic writing helped establish the guitar as a vehicle for the kind of technical display associated with the great Romantic-era violinists and pianists, and his caprices and fantasias remain staples of advanced guitar study and performance today.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Legnani