Born at Livorno, he was the son of guitarist, singer[2] and composer Ferdinando Carulli and the French Marie-Josephine Boyer.
[9] Young Gustavo went to Paris with his father, where he studied piano under the polish Mirecki, harmony with Nicolo Isouard and composition with Ferdinando Paer.
[11] [12] [13] In 1838 Gustavo Carulli published his Méthode de chant dedicated to Gilbert Duprez.
[20] He gave singing classes in his dwelling Rue de Provence 63 bis.,[21][22] living only 2 numbers away from Franz Liszt.
[23] In 1847, two of Gustavo Carulli's songs were awarded prices in a Concours des chants populaires.