Carlo Antonio Gambara was an Italian mandolinist and composer in the early 19th century. He composed works during a time when interest in mandolin music was stagnant. He was also a knight of the Order of the Couronne de Fer, born a nobleman. He attended a college for the sons of nobility at Parma, studying mandolin there for eight years, under , maestro di cappella and violin playing with Gasparo Ghiretti