Born in Italy, Mirko Arnone studied Classic Guitar and Music Theory at the National Music Conservatoire V. Bellini in Palermo (Italy) prior to completing his studies in lute and related early plucked instruments in Germany at the Staatliche Musikhochschule für Musik Trossingen under Rolf Lislevand where he qualified in 2005 with full marks. Before moving to Germany, in 1996, he obtained the Absolute Fist Prize in Classic Guitar at the National Competition for Young Musicians in Caccamo (Italy). It was Trossingen, however, one of the most active European centres for Ancient Music, that offered a stimulating environment where to thrive musically and professionally. There, Mirko learned and developed fine music techniques and repertoires with the Lute (Renaissance and Baroque) but also Theorbo, Baroque Guitar and Continuo. These formation years are constellated by numerous performances and music projects.
In parallel, Mirko has developed an academic interest in Literature and Philosophy particularly in the context of Music. In 2000 he obtained his degree in Philosophy with full marks and honor at the University of Palermo (Italy). His final thesis was a dissertation focused on Esthetics and Music. Whilst in Germany to pursue his music career, Mirko further studied Baroque and Renaissance music also in relation to dance at the University ‘Ruprecht-Karls’ in Heidelberg. He has participated to several projects in Musicology. For instance, he has collaborated to the publications of the ‘Academy of Sciences’ in Heidelberg on the projects “Cappella Sistina” and “Mannheimer Musikkapelle”. He has too been involved as co-editor with Bärenreiter of Kassel. His role is to author articles focused on music for lute for the new edition of the Encyclopedia “Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart” (MGG).
Mirko is currently based in Basel (Switzerland) where he lives since 2004. Basel offered him a vivid musical environment for further professional development. His fervent and enthusiastic music activity has sustained continuous performances in a variety of Countries around the World both as solo and continuo player collaborarting among the others with Barockorchester Capriccio, Holland Baroque Society, Bach Consort Wien, Ensemble Il Profondo, Balthasar Neumann Ensemble, Camerata Bern, Cappella Mediterranea, Capella Tiberina, Il Gusto Barocco, La Cetra, Musica Fiorita, Brandeburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt a.O., Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Orchester der Tonhalle Zürich, NDR Orchester, Theater Heidelberg, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Venice Baroque Orchestra.
Mirko has been regularly performing over the years at the International Händel Festspielen, Schleswig-Holstein Musikfestival, Niedersächsischen Musiktagen, Stockstädter Musiktagen, Arolser Barock-Festspielen, Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspielen, Festival Oude Muziek di Utrecht, Festival Via Stellae di Santiago, Festival de Música Antiga de Barcelona.
This activity as brought him as a performer in Europe, USA, Mexico, Japan, India.
2011 Mirko has been performing in Tokyo with the Ensemble Il Profondo in presence of Japanese Empress Michiko.
He did several recordings of CDs and for the German and Swiss Radio (WDR, NDR, SWR, RSR).
Mirko has always kept a parallel interest in modern music and has passionately played the electric guitar since teenager years. This interest has further developed in the last years leading to an activity as arranger and composer in modern music productions. 2009 he has been studying and improving his skills at the Musicians' Intitute in Hollywood (CA).