Arrigo was educated at the Palermo Conservatory and later studied with Deutsch in Paris. His early works were influenced by Boulez, leading to the use of basic micro-forms in such compositions as =Shadows= and =Infrarosso=. His acceptance of the theory of socially committed music is first evident in =Orden=, a theatrical piece denouncing Spanish fascism and is exhibited again in the political satire =Addio Garibaldi=.