Angelo Gilardino was born in Vercelli in 1941 where he later studied (guitar, violoncello and composition) in the local music schools. His concert career, which lasted from 1958 to 1981, had a great influence on the development of the guitar as an instrument in the ‘limelight’ in the twentieth century. Indeed, he gave premiere performances of hundreds of new compositions dedicated to him by composers from all over the world. In 1967 Edizioni Musicali Bèrben appointed him to supervise what has become the most important collection of music for guitar of the twentieth century and which bears his name.
In 1981 Gilardino retired from concert work to devote his time to composition, teaching and musicological research.

Since 1982 he has published an extensive collection of his own compositions: Studi di virtuosità e di trascendenza, which John W. Duarte hailed as “milestones in the new repertoire of the classical guitar”, Sonatas, Variations, four concertos for solo guitar and guitar groups, ten concertos with orchestra and several works of chamber music. His works are frequently performed in concert halls all over the world, recorded and included in competitions.
His contribution to teaching began with the Liceo Musicale "G.B. Viotti" in Vercelli where he taught from 1965 to 1981 followed by an appointment as professor at the “Antonio Vivaldi” Conservatory in Alessandria from 1981 to 2004. From 1984 to 2003 he held post-graduate courses at the “Lorenzo Perosi” Accademia Superiore Internazionale di Musica in Biella. Since 2005, he holds a course for advanced performers at the Music School “F.A. Vallotti” in Vercelli.

He has also held 200 courses, seminars and master classes in various European countries at the invitation of universities, academies, conservatories, music associations and festivals. The city of Lagonegro made him an honorary citizen in 1989 in recognition of his teaching at the International Guitar Festival. In 1993 the University of Granada invited him to hold a course in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Andrés Segovia’s birth. [...]

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In the month of July, Córdoba (Spain) becomes the “city of the guitar”. The Festival is the cultural and ludic exemple of the city during summer time.

The Festival which will celebrate its 31th birthday in 2011 possesses a national and international reputation due to the hight quality of the interpreters and teachers who take part, and provides two complementary areas. On the one hand, the so-called Tuition Program, with course about classical, flamenco, contemporary and modern guitar, course of composition for guitar, dancing and flamenco singing course. On the other hand the Shows and Concerts Program wich takes place in different city areas and turns into a delight the night.. 
In 2011 the "Jornadas de Estudio" (Study Days) will be dedicated to italian guitarist, composer and musicologist Angelo Gilardino, which this year marks the seventieth anniversary.  
Gilardino is an important figure in the world of international classical guitar. Famous composer, whose work is part of the concert repertoire and program of study of the instrument, is an important teacher, with interesting publications on guitar technique, and a large number of his students are now international performers. Is recognized as "editor"with a priceless contribution, through the italian Bèrben Editions, in the deployment and recovery of the repertoire of our time. Angelo Gilardino is a sharp critic, a great connoisseur of the figure of Andrés Segovia and the contribution to the aesthetics of the guitar music of the twentieth century.

Conferences: 
- Javier Suarez-Pajares (July 8). Presenter: Javier Riba. 
- Gianni Nuti (9 luglio). Presenter: Julio Gimeno 
- Angelo Gilardino (10 luglio). Presenter: Javier Riba 
- Tavola rotonda (11 luglio), with the participation of: 
   Angelo Gilardino, Gianni Nuti, Cristiano Porqueddu, Julio Gimeno. Moderator: Javier Riba 

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"Les Arbres Rouges" from "Studi di Virtuosità e di Trascendenza"
(C) 2009 Brilliant Classics     Cristiano Porqueddu, guitar