Antoine Bonelli

Qualified by his admirers of "The Greatest Corsican Guitarist "of all time, Antoine Bonelli accompanied greats artists like Tino Rossi and Manitas de Plata. A native of Bocogano, he was one of the greatest guitarists in the world and remained the symbol of Ajaccian and Corsican music. Famous for his concerts at "Son des Guitares", rue Roi de Rome in Ajaccio (Corsica), he was a master and an example for many young musicians such as the late Gaston Giordani. Jean-Joseph Flori, Corsican writer and poet, wrote many musics and lyrics of Corsican songs that he played alongside Antoine Bonelli. Nicknamed The Buddha by the Ajaccians because of his corpulence, the guitarist loved the Ajaccian nights, the party, and above all the music. This Ajaccian of heart had a haven of peace : Mandriolu, in the municipality of Sarrola-Carcopino where his sister had married. Antoine Bonelli played with genius great Corsican music such as "A Sirinata Aiaccina", "Cun Voi O Madamicella", "Solenzara". He also played the Ajaccian Waltz perfectly.