He was born in Corfu to a rich and well-spoken family. He studied music in Corfu (piano and violin) with teachers of Italian origin, the Poyago brothers. He then took theory and composition lessons. In 1815 he presented his first musical works. In 1819 he left for higher musical studies in Italy, specifically in Naples, which was a great musical centre for developing young musical talent. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire alongside the principal conductor N.A. Cingarelli. In 1826 he returned to Corfu and gave lessons. He was the teacher of the greatest musicians and composers of the Ionian school of which he is considered the founder.

The cultural level of Corfu as the capital of the Ionian State was very high at that time. Mantzaros’ music was the first art music written by a Greek in Greece. Although internationally his work is considered to be of the Italian school. He wrote many musical genres, including a one-act opera, piano and string quartet works, fugues and symphonic music. But the work that made him special for us Greeks was his setting of the first four verses of the Hymn to Freedom, by Dionysios Solomos, which was adopted as our National Anthem.

This was written in 1928-30 when Solomos was of course still alive and it was written for a 4-voice male choir. The work was played in Corfu but although Mantzaros sent it and other settings and variations to Otto, it was never adopted as a national anthem. George I had to come for an official visit in 1865 as the new King to hear it and immediately order it to be played in all naval ceremonies and parades. In 1907 Mantzaros’ music was transcribed to be played by a military band by Marg. Manzaros served as life president of the Philharmonic Society of Corfu, He was awarded the Silver Cross of the Royal Order of the Saviour (1845).