Napoléon Coste became one of the most influential guitar composers of the mid-19th century. Based in Paris, he became a friend and a pupil of Fernando Sor and was a virtuoso exponent of the instrument until an injury to his arm prevented further public performance.

Coste’s Divertissement sur Lucia di Lammermoor and the Seize valses favorites de Johann Strauss are potpourris of best-loved melodies largely typical of guitar repertoire at this time. Coste’s Caprice pays tribute to the popularity of Spanish ‘national’ music while the Rondeau de concert is an early example of the can-can which was to gain such popularity over succeeding decades.