Filippo Ciabatti will join the Boston Baroque as Principal Guest Conductor.

Filippo Ciabatti will join the Boston Baroque team in the newly created role of Principal Guest Conductor.

Ciabatti first joined Boston Baroque as Assistant Conductor under founder Martin Pearlman from 2023–2025, developing a close artistic relationship with the ensemble and its musicians. In 2025, he led a celebrated performance of Handel’s Messiah that was praised by critics as “lithe and vital,” and “rich, personal, and gloriously lived in.” (Read Article)

“Filippo brings extraordinary musical sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, and infectious energy to every rehearsal and performance,” said Sarah Radcliffe-Marrs. “His work with Boston Baroque has already made a profound impact on both our musicians and audiences, and we are thrilled to welcome him into this important new artistic role.”

Praised for his “sensitive and nuanced” musicianship and performances delivered “with admirable sweep and tension,” Ciabatti has established an international reputation as a dynamic and versatile conductor. A native of Florence, Italy, he has appeared with orchestras throughout Europe and the Americas, including the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Festival Orchestra in Sweden, and Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Central in Colombia.

In summer 2024, Ciabatti was awarded the Joel Revzen Conducting Prize and engaged to conduct the Festival Orchestra Napa. He has collaborated with internationally renowned artists including Gabriel Cabezas, Ray Chen, Nathan Gunn, David Kim, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and Time for Three.

A passionate advocate for both early and contemporary music, Ciabatti is the founding Artistic Director of Upper Valley Baroque, the critically acclaimed professional ensemble based in New Hampshire. Under his leadership, the organization has rapidly gained recognition for its vibrant performances and sold-out productions. He is also known for championing new works and interdisciplinary collaborations, including projects with jazz composer Taylor Ho Bynum and MacArthur Fellow Tomeka Reid.

Equally active in opera, Ciabatti serves as Music Director of the Opera Company of Middlebury and has conducted productions with Opera North and the Lyric Theatre at Illinois, leading works including Tosca, Madama Butterfly, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Don Giovanni.

Beyond the podium, Ciabatti is Director of Orchestral and Choral Programs at Dartmouth College’s Hopkins Center for the Arts, where he has developed innovative cross-disciplinary performances involving dance, theater, and visual storytelling. In 2025, he led the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra on tour in Italy, performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in collaboration with the Orchestra Toscana dei Conservatori.

Ciabatti is also an accomplished pianist and vocal coach, having worked with artists including Renée Fleming and Isabel Leonard and served on the faculty of programs in both the United States and Italy.

He holds advanced degrees in piano, choral conducting, and orchestral conducting from institutions in Italy and the United States. In 2021, he won The American Prize in Conducting (college/university division).

Ciabatti resides in Vermont with his wife, Francesca, their son, Gianluca, and their cat, Sofia.