The Duetto Giocondo, founded by Caterina Lichtenberg (Baroque mandolin and Neapolitan mandolin) and Mirko Schrader (lute and guitar) has become one of the leading duos of its kind performing in the world today. The Duo has appeared in concert in the Schauspielhaus of Berlin, the Kunsthalle and Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, the Aalto Theater in Essen and the Bachhaus and Gewandhaus in Leipzig.

Internationally they've performed - as a duo and as soloists - in Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia and Japan.

Mandolin and Guitar has a rich and demanding literature to offer. Original works by early mandolin masters Gabriele Leone and Gian Francesco di Majo are complimented by original transcriptions of John Dowland, Vivaldi and Scarlatti among others. There is virtuoso music by Niccolo Paganini and the great Italian mandolinist Raffaele Calace and the 20th century repertory ranges from the Tangos of Astor Piazzolla to premiers of works written for the Duo.

Caterina Lichtenberg was the first-prize winner at the First International Competition for mandolin in Schweinfurt, Germany and is one of the most acclaimed performers on her instrument world-wide. She has been named a scholar of the Richard Wagner Fondation, Bayreuth and she is currently on the faculty at the University in Wuppertal. Mirko Schrader has also been a prize-winner at international guitar competitions in Eztergom, Cologne and at the Barmenia-Competition in Wuppertal, Germany.