Raffaele Calace

Raffaele Calace (1863-1934) was an Italian mandolin virtuoso, composer, teacher, publisher and instrument maker. Born into a family of luthiers in Naples, he combined practical knowledge of instrument construction with a sustained effort to establish the mandolin as a concert instrument.

He developed the concert mandolin and expanded its technical and expressive resources through his six-volume Metodo per mandolino, Op. 37-42, and an extensive catalogue of solo and ensemble music. His works for mandolin and liuto cantabile bring together virtuosity, melodic expression and idiomatic polyphonic writing. International tours, including a visit to Japan in 1924, helped disseminate his music and instruments. His ten preludes for solo mandolin span much of his compositional career.