Ottavio Dantone graduated in organ and harpsichord at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” of Milan. He started his concerts career when he was really young, dedicating himself since the beginning to the continue study and mastering of ancient music, soon distinguishing himself in front of the public and the critic’s attention.

In 1985 he earned the award for basso continuo at the International Competition of Paris, and in 1986 he has been awarded at the International Competition of Bruges (these are two of the world’s most important harpsichord competitions.) He was the first Italian to ever have received these awards on an international level in the harpsichord world.

He has been the musical director of the Accademia Bizantina of Ravenna since 1996. In 1999, the first performance in modern years of Giuseppe Sarti’s “Giulio Sabino” marked his opera debut. Since then, he alternates his usual occupation as a soloist and leader of chamber ensemble with the by now intense activity of conductor. Also, he extended his repertoire to the opera as well as the classic and romantic period, and added to the more renowned repertoire the rediscovery of titles that are less known, or performed for the first time in contemporary years.

He is regularly hosted in the most prestigious opera theatres and in the world’s most important international festivals.  

He made several radio and TV recordings, both in Italy and abroad, as well as many records as a soloist and as a conductor, which earned him prestigious awards and recognitions from the international critic. Also, he recorded for “la Decca.”