Joaquín Rodrigo, one of Spain’s greatest contemporary composers, said of Celedonio Romero: "He has contributed immensely through his artistic interpretations for classical guitar music. More importantly, he has enlarged and enriched the repertoire of 20th century music with his own compositions."

Composer, guitarist and poet Celedonio Romero was born on March 2, 1913 in Cienfuegos, Cuba while his father, an architect from Málaga, was constructing the Concert Hall in Cienfuegos. At a very young age Celedonio returned with his family to Málaga. Due to his prodigious talent on the guitar he was largely self-taught on the instrument. He studied music and received his degree at the Conservatory of Málaga.

He first performed in public at the age of 10. After his formal debut at age 20, he played widely throughout Spain but was refused permission to perform outside of his native country. Deprived of his artistic freedom under the oppressive government of Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Celedonio immigrated with his family to the United States in 1957.

Within two years the family settled in southern California, and Celedonio created a guitar quartet with his sons Celin, Pepe, and Angel - The Romeros. In an article in The New York Times, a noted critic wrote "…Collectively, they are the only classical guitar quartet of real stature in the world today. In fact, they virtually invented the format." They became known as the "Royal Family of the Guitar". In 1990, grandson Celino replaced Angel, and the quartet comprised three generations of virtuosity. The family tradition continues with grandson Lito Romero joining the quartet upon Celedonio Romero’s death.

After the quartet’s first tour of the United States in 1961, they immediately went on to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, at Carnegie Hall, and at the Hollywood Bowl. Since then The Romeros have played most of the great concert halls in America and have performed with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the world, including those of Cleveland, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco and Dallas in the United States, and The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the Vienna Radio Orchestra and la Orquesta Nacionál de España in Europe. They collaborated with many of the world’s finest conductors. The Romeros have performed at the White House by invitation of two Presidents, at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, for King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, and for His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. Celedonio’s voluminous discography, both in solo recordings and with the quartet on the Delos and Philips labels, brought his music to an ever-widening audience around the world.

Celedonio Romero was highly decorated for his contributions to the Spanish culture and to the world of the classical guitar. He was knighted by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain, achieving the rank of Comendador de Número de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica. He received many other high honors and awards from leaders around the world including Caballero del Santo Sepulcro ("Knight of the Holy Sepulchre") given by Pope John Paul II. Among the local honors he received, Celedonio was especially proud of the Beethoven Award presented by KFSD, the classical radio station in San Diego, and "Celedonio Romero Day" (January 14th) proclaimed by the Mayor of San Diego. For his 80th birthday gala celebrations were held around the world in Málaga, Sevilla, Berlin, London and San Diego. The city of Málaga named him Hijo Predilecto con la Medalla de Oro. In 1995, Celedonio was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Victoria, British Columbia.

Much of the credit for today’s high regard for the classical guitar can be attributed to the life work of Celedonio Romero. His compositions for classical guitar, numbering over 100 (including ten concertos) have emerged as masterpieces for the guitar. Joaquín Rodrigo said of Celedonio: "He has developed the technique of the guitar by making what is difficult to be easy. He is, without a doubt, the grand master of the guitar." Celedonio Romero was known and respected around the world, and The Celedonio Romero Method for the Classical Guitar is taught in Master and Doctoral programs in the universities of North America and Europe.

"Angelita, Mother of the Guitar, you are a mixture of adventurer and idealistic warrior, defying death itself. When we are next to you, there is nothing unreachable." -- Pepe Romero

Angelita Romero was a singer and stage actress in Málaga, Spain; she studied at Málaga's Royal Academy of Fine Arts and graduated with highest honors. It was there that she met a young guitarist, Celedonio Romero. He was 18 and she was 21; she instantly captivated him and they soon married. The couple had three sons: Celin, Pepe and Angel. Their father taught the boys guitar; Angelita taught them reading, writing and literature. An avid reader and philosopher, she enhanced their education with weekly trips to art museums. In teaching the young Pepe, she dictated the entire text of Cervantes' Don Quixote to him. She kept his hand-written copy as one of her greatest treasures.

She overcame the huge difficulties of raising her young family with undaunted courage. When facing the terror of post-civil war Spain and the darkness that surrounded the family, her words were always of hope. She fought against all forces; she was unbeatable. During the 1930s, 40s and 50s, she was part of the innermost literary and artistic circles in Spain. An inspiration not only to her husband Celedonio, she was a muse to many artists, poets and philosophers of the time.

The matriarch of the world's greatest family of guitarists, Angelita Romero was always the driving force behind the family. Throughout the careers of The Romeros, Angelita rarely missed a concert of the quartet, her husband or her sons. She traveled the world with her family and was always there to support them.

An accomplished castanet player, Mrs. Romero was often called to the stage by her family during their concerts to perform an encore with them. Her spirited playing and regal grace always brought down the house. Famed Spanish composers Federico Moreno Torroba, his son Federico Jr. and Reverend Francisco de Madina wrote pieces for her, which she performed and recorded on the Philips label. Joaquín Rodrigo called her one of the greatest virtuosos of the castanets. One of her most rewarding moments was performing at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, where he gave a special blessing to her castanets.

On her 80th birthday, the Vatican awarded Angelita Romero the title "Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem".

Angelita Romero died on March 10, 1999, surrounded by her loving family, who feel her guiding presence in every aspect of their lives.