Lauro, Antonio(b Ciudad Bolvar, 3 Aug 1917; d Caracas, 18 April 1986). Venezuelan guitarist and composer. He originally studied the piano at the Caracas Conservatory but later changed to the guitar after hearing the Paraguayan guitarist Agustn Barrios. He wrote works for a wide variety of media, but it is those written and arranged for the guitar that have enjoyed international fame. His output, much of which was published only in his last years, included a concerto, a sonata, Suite Venezolano and Suite, Homenaje a John Duarte; but he is particularly identified with his numerous Valses venezolanos, characterized by rhythmic vitality, teasing hemiolas and lyrical melody. For some years Lauro was a member of the folk music trio Los Cantores del Trpico.BIBLIOGRAPHYGuitar International, xv/1 (1986) [Antonio Lauro Commemorative issue] A. Bruzual: Antonio Lauro: un msico total (Caracas, 1995) JOHN W. DUARTE