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The Italian harpsichordist and conductor, Ottavio Dantone, graduated in organ and harpsichord from the Conservatory "Giuseppe Verdi" in Milan. He began his career very young, dedicating his studies to early music and collaborating with various orchestras and acquiring considerable experience in basso continuo, the art of which he is now considered an authority. In 1985 he was awarded the Basso Continuo prize at the International Paris Festival and in 1986 he received an award at the International Bruges Festival (two of the most renowned harpsichord festivals in the world), being the first Italian to have achieved this recognition at international level for the harpsichord.
Ottavio Dantone has an intense concert activity, both as harpsichord and fortepiano soloist and as conductor of orchestra and ensemble. He has devoted himself to an in-depth study of ancient music. Since 1996 he has been Musical Director of the Accademia Bizantina in Ravenna, with whom he had already been working since 1989. He has toured in Europe, the USA, Israel and Mexico and has been guest at the most important Italian and foreign Concert Associations, such as: Concetgebouw in Amsterdam, Cité de la Musique in Paris, International Muisc Festival of Istanbul, Metropolitan Museum in New York, Holstein Festival, Lingotto Auditorium of Turin, Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, Ravenna Festival, Bologna Festival, Accademia di S. Cecilia in Rome, Accademia Chigiana in Siena, G.O.G of Genoa, Musica e Poesia a S. Maurizio in Milan, Amici della Musica in Perugia, Ferrara Musica, Settembre Musica in Turin, Accademia Filarmonica della Scala.
Ottavio Dantone's activities include many television and radio recorded performances in Italy and abroad. He has recorded both as soloist and conductor and basso continuista. In particular, his recording of Sonate di gravicembalo by P.D. Parisi has been awarded by the Italian critics as best record of 1998. He has been chosen by Riccardo Muti to direct at the Scala Theatre in Milan the Opera performances Nina pazza per amore. He holds specialist courses for harpsichord, chamber music, basso continuo and improvisation. |
