Mario Franz Giucci was a Uruguayan cellist and diplomat. He was born in Montevideo on April 13, 1893. He was the third child of the marriage between Camilo Giucci and Luisa Gallo.

He began his cello studies in his childhood with the Italian maestro Bassano Mazzuchi, and then continued them at the Franz Liszt Conservatory of Music, where his parents were teachers. In the family correspondence with his brother Camilo there are comments about his studies. Thus, in 1911 his mother told Camilo that “Mario always studies the cello with great enthusiasm, and he is really making progress, he has a great disposition, doesn’t he?” In those years, he made his first public presentations. After a performance at the Conservatory of Music, a press release praised him, stating that “he delighted the audience with the cello playing a composition by [Georg Friedrich] Händel and another by Arturo Napoleón, which was very difficult to perform, accompanied on the piano by his father, Camilo Giucci.” In 1915, together with the pianist Domingo Dente, he performed in artistic evenings at the School of Medicine.

In 1924, he married María Esther Urta, with whom he had two sons: Mario and Jorge.

In 1927, he toured throughout the country with his friend, the pianist Raúl Gandolfo. In this context, they performed in Paysandú, Salto, and Durazno. As recorded in the local press, this series of concerts was very well received by the public and critics. Thus, the Salto newspaper La Tarde stated that “The abilities of these talented performers have been showcased in these performances, which were warmly supported by their intelligent fans.” It also stated that “the quality of the performances, their deep cultural significance and the preparation of the exceptional artists, turned the evenings at the Ateneo into a gathering point for large audiences.”

In parallel with his musical dedication, he developed a diplomatic career, which began in 1912 as an assistant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1929 he was appointed Chancellor of Legation in Berlin, a position he held until 1940. Then, in 1941, he became the First Secretary at the Uruguayan Embassy in the USA. Following this, in 1943 he was appointed First Secretary at the Uruguayan Embassy in Argentina, a position he held until 1948 when he was appointed Counselor at the Uruguayan Legation in Peru. Finally, in 1951, he was appointed Consul General in West Germany, based in Hamburg.

Mario managed to combine diplomatic duties with his musical talent. For example, in 1930, as part of the celebrations organized by the Uruguayan Embassy in Germany for the Centenary of Uruguay, he gave a concert with Raúl Gandolfo and violinist Esther Manevich. It is worth mentioning that Mario included in his program the composition “Canción del peregrino” (Pilgrim’s Song), by César Cortinas, in addition to works by European composers. After another concert organized by the Uruguayan Embassy in 1933, the Uruguayan Chargé d’Affaires wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that “Mr. Giucci, who has completed his studies of musical improvement without neglecting his duties as an official, has shown true honor and prestige to our artistic culture with his concert.” Between 1933 and 1935, he gave several concerts in Berlin, some of them aimed at raising money for Ibero-American students in Germany. Furthermore, during his stay in Germany, he recorded several works with Telefunken, including “Canto de Chingolo” by Uruguayan composer Luis Cluzeau Mortet, “Malagueña” by Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz, and two works by Bach, accompanied in most cases by German pianist Michael Raucheisen. Later, while in office in Peru, Mario gave a benefit concert, which was attended by diplomatic and political authorities.

Mario Giucci passed away in Hamburg on September 29, 1956. Shortly after passing away, in March 1957, Radio Nacional dedicated a tribute to him, playing recordings of his work. In addition, Lauro Ayestarán held a tribute to Mario.