FRANCO MORONE

Italian fingerstyle guitarist, teacher, composer, and arranger.

Franco Morone ritratto dal fotografo Giorgio Fairsoni durante Folkest 2022

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

His passion for the guitar has accompanied him from a young age. At only 12 years old, he began exploring the first notes, and in 1986 he started his first blues method for acoustic guitar, Fingerstyle Blues Collection, which immediately became a reference for guitarists and teachers.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with several specialty magazines such as Guitar Club, Chitarre, Acoustic Guitar, and Akustik Gitarre editing columns on acoustic guitar history and techniques.
His artistic output includes CDs, instructional books, and videos ranging from his original compositions to collections of different genres: from traditional Italian to blues, jazz, and Celtic music.
Among the various awards, we highlight the prestigious GPJ Folk Awards, the best album award in the ‘solo guitar’ category for his work “Italian Fingerstyle Guitar.” A tribute to his talent and ability to blend tradition and innovation.

CONCERTS AND GUITAR COURSES

An established guitarist on the international scene, with tours in Europe, the United States, and Japan. Parallel to his concert career, as a teacher he organizes seminars and workshops that have involved generations of passionate guitarists. In the Marche region, together with Raffaella Luna, he created Acoustic Guitar Workshops, a training center dedicated to acoustic guitar.

LIVE CONCERTS

His career has taken him to share the stage with leading names in acoustic music, from John Renbourn to Alex De Grassi. Today, he performs as a soloist and in a duo with Raffaella Luna, offering a repertoire ranging from traditional Italian to original compositions.

REPERTOIRE

His musical roots are deeply rooted in blues, jazz, Celtic music, and Italian folk. Through extensive research and experimentation, he has forged a unique and unmistakable sound, characterized by technical mastery and an uncommon artistic sensibility.

RECORD LABELS AND PUBLISHERS

He has published with Mel Bay (USA), Hal Leonard (USA), MBG Ariola (I), Carisch (I), Bèrben (I), Acoustic Music Records (D), and Acoustic Music Books (D).

DISCOGRAPHY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LIVE CONCERTS

Franco Morone - fingerstyle guitarist
Acoustic Franciacorta-I
Acoustic Guitar Meeting –Sarzana-I 
All-Star Guitar Night-Nashville–USA
All Star Guitar Night–Opatija–HR
Bormio Guitar International Meeting–I
Castello dei Doria–Dolceacqua-I
Chet Atkins Convention-Nashville–USA
Chitarre dal mondo–Teatro-Corte–I
Consolato Italiano-Dortmund–D
Consolato Italiano-Houston–USA
Festival Int. Chitarra-20°Edizione–I
Festival Villa Celimontana–Roma–I
Fingerstyle Guitar Festival-Wien-A
Folk Frueling Festival–Venne–D
Folkest–Spilimbergo-I
Guitar Festival–Linz–A
Guitar Festival–Singapore
Healdsburg Guitar Festival–Ca–USA
Honolulu, Orvis Theater–Hawaii–USA
International Guitar Night–D
International Guitar Tour–HU
International Guitar Tour–Japan
Istituto Italiano di Cultura-Wolfsburg-D
Jurandvor–Baska–HR
KVMR Celtic Festival–Ca–USA
Madame Guitar–Udine-I
Montelago Celtic Festival-I
Musicastrada–Pisa–I
Musicultura–Macerata-I
Open Strings-Osnabrueck–D 
Otor–Saragozza–ES
Posthof–Linz–A
Sentieri Acustici–Pistoia–I
Soave Guitar Festival-I
Sala Filarmonica–Rovereto-I
Schondorf Guitar Festival–D
Teatro Excelsior–Chiasso–CH 
Teatro Filarmonica–Macerata-I
Teatro Puccini–Merano-I
The Acoustic Strings Fest– Raalte–NL
The Kirkmichael Int. Guitar Fest.UK
Zagreb Guitar Summit–HR

REVIEWS

I’ve admired Franco Morone’s music since his groundbreaking debut, Stranalandia, in 1990. His impeccable studio and live performances, characterized by their purity, sophistication, and tireless pursuit of melodic perfection, have always captivated me. After a long-awaited return to recording, Strings of Heart triumphantly fulfills the hopes of his fans and fingerpicking enthusiasts alike: a must-have album.

Strings of Heart is a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of Morone’s extraordinary career. This album transcends mere technicality, offering a genuine outpouring of emotion and musicality. Morone’s unparalleled talent as a guitarist and musician shines through every note, delivering a profound message that resonates deeply: a must-listen for any music lover.

Morone has one of the most identifiable sounds in contemporary fingerstyle guitar.

Franco Morone is perhaps the master of crafting the most exquisite sounds on the guitar. His gentle Italian charm and refined technique make his performances simply unforgettable. On Strings of Heart, Morone’s playing is a delicate masterpiece, as light as a feather.

Each song on Strings of Heart is an emotional journey, its instrumental melodies breathtakingly beautiful. The sound is fluid, vibrant, and incredibly rich, with every note played with exquisite clarity and precision. Morone’s music has surpassed all expectations, taking the solo guitar to new heights.

Once on stage, Franco gives us a superb concert, fresh, inspired, and intense enough to make the audience clap their hands until they’re red: don’t miss Franco Morone if he happens to be near you. I assure you, you won’t regret it.

Franco is one of those artists who, in Italy, have made history in acoustic guitar. A refined musician, an excellent arranger, and a knowledgeable connoisseur of both Italian and European folk heritage, he has written pages of music on which the fingers of the last generations of guitarists have worn out.

Franco Morone once again proves himself a masterful composer and guitarist. His compositions, like those of Villa Lobos or John Renbourn, are characterized by a unique and inspiring style.

Franco is one of our favorite acoustic guitarists. He is also a great teacher and a brilliant ambassador of fingerstyle guitar.

When Franco Morone plays, his music washes over you with a deep intensity. His eyes closed, and he became one with his instrument, creating a truly magical experience. Every note is a feeling of Italian elegance and Mediterranean spirit, adorned with delicate embellishments. A master of many styles, from Celtic to jazz to blues, Franco effortlessly blends these influences into a unique and captivating sound.

Franco is a world-class artist and an extraordinary educator. His extensive work, including numerous publications and workshops, has helped countless musicians.

I was lucky to see Franco perform at the Taylor Guitars booth at Winter NAMM. His solo acoustic guitar playing was stunning! He effortlessly styles blends, and his ability to play intricate chords and melodies contemporarily is impressive.

Franco Morone is undeniably a guitar genius. He’s easily one of our favorites. His playing is always a treat, with solid grooves, catchy melodies, and a fantastic tone. His repertoire is both diverse and engaging, full of delightful surprises.

Franco has tenderly unveiled his soul, revealing a musical masterpiece with untold stories and secrets.

And in any case, the rather convincing result proves, if there were any need, that Franco Morone is one of the best fingerstyle stylists of the moment. In short, an excellent, elegant, warm, and colorful album to enjoy without moderation.

Franco Morone is a leading figure in fingerstyle guitar: a true master of his instrument.

The full, warm notes evoke the sun-drenched landscapes of the South, their rich harmonies and infectious grooves filling every track. This blues recording is a pure joy to listen to.

Franco Morone is a master of capturing listeners’ hearts with his diverse musical palette and ability to create stunningly rich soundscapes in his modern fingerstyle approach.

While I’ve always admired your previous work, I believe ‘Italian Fingerstyle Guitar‘ is your most accomplished and inspiring project yet. Your choice of repertoire showcases exceptional musical sensitivity and intelligence. I’ve listened to this CD countless times, discovering something new with each listen. I’ve featured it as my Album of the Week.