Album Spotlight: Cinzia Milani: A Tribute to María Luisa Anido

Italian guitarist Cinzia Milani, a passionate advocate for women composers, recently appeared on the Classical Guitar Heroines podcast to discuss her newest project — a full album dedicated to the music of María Luisa Anido (1907–1996). You can listen to her inspiring conversation in the podcast below, followed by the album itself.

This new recording from Brilliant Classics shines a long-overdue spotlight on Anido, often called “the grande dame of the guitar.” Born in Argentina, Anido was both a virtuoso performer and a composer whose works vividly reflect the folk traditions of her homeland. Her teachers included Miguel Llobet — a direct student of Tárrega — and Domingo Prat, and she developed a style that combined Spanish lyricism with Argentine soul.

Milani performs these pieces with warmth and deep understanding, from the expressive Barcarola to the Impresiones Argentinas, a cycle of nine works that explore the diverse soundscape of Argentina — from the pampas to the Andes.

This album marks only the second-ever complete recording devoted to Anido’s compositions, making it an important addition to the modern guitar discography and to Brilliant Classics’ growing collection of rediscovered gems.

At GSI, Anido’s legacy holds special significance. The legendary 1864 Antonio de Torres “FE 17” SP/MP (ex Francisco Tárrega, María Luisa Anido) — one of the most historically important guitars ever built — was featured at GSI a few years ago during a landmark reunion of the three Torres guitars once owned by Francisco Tárrega. That event brought together Pepe Romero, Andrew York, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who performed and recorded on these instruments.

Through Cinzia Milani’s new album and her thoughtful podcast appearance, listeners can rediscover Anido’s lyrical and earthy voice — a vital link between Tárrega’s romantic tradition and the rich musical landscape of Latin America.