Arne Mikk

Arne Mikk (born 18 April 1934) is an Estonian stage director, theatre manager and teacher who has been closely associated with the Estonian National Opera since the 1950s. After beginning there as a chorus singer, he later served as literary manager, assistant director, director, principal stage director and artistic director, and has been credited with more than sixty music-theatre productions. From 2008 to 2024 he was the artistic director of the Saaremaa Opera Days.

Early life and education Mikk was born in Pahuvere, then in Tuhalaane Parish in Viljandi County, and grew up in a farming family in the Viljandi area. He graduated from Viljandi 2nd Secondary School in 1952, began voice studies at the Tallinn Music School, and completed his studies in singing at the Tallinn State Conservatory in 1961 under Aleksander Arder.

He has also been associated with the stage history of the operas of Eduard Tubin. According to the International Eduard Tubin Society, Barbara von Tisenhusen was commissioned by Mikk; Mikk later directed both Barbara von Tisenhusen and Tubin's The Parson of Reigi.

From 2008 until 2024 Mikk was the artistic director of the Saaremaa Opera Days.

Honours Mikk's honours include: the Estonian state cultural award in 1994, for his staging of La bohème; the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class, in 2001; the Estonian Cultural Endowment music endowment's life achievement award in 2013; the Aadu Luukas Mission Prize in 2015; honorary citizenship of Harju County in 2025.