Gregorio Paniagua was born in Madrid, where he studied cello at the Royal Conservatory with Don Ricardo Vivó. He later studied viola da gamba with August Wenzinger and conducting with Sergiu Celibidache. In addition to the viola da gamba, Paniagua performs on the vihuela, lute, and hurdy gurdy. In 1964, he founded the ensemble Atrium Musicae de Madrid, with which he has performed in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia.