Filippo Gambetta: Ciao From Madagascar

Filippo Gambetta: Ciao From Madagascar

From Chatterbox with Mel Biggs by Mel Biggs Music

March 2, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 27

About this episode

Mel Biggs interviews accordionist Filippo Gambetta about his experiences and insights from Madagascar.

Join Mel this month as she sits down for a long-awaited catch up with Filippo Gambetta since meeting him at Halsway Manor Melodeon Study Week 2023. During that week, Filippo shared stories, videos and field recordings that he had made across several trips to Madagascar. During his time on the island, he has been able to visit different communities, take lessons with native diatonic accordion players with their unique style and application of the instrument, and even be invited to witness and take part in spiritual posession ceremonies. Tune in to find out more about this fascinating traditional culture. Filippo Gambetta (Italy) an accomplished accordionist, clarinetist and mandolinist, has performed hundreds of concerts around the world, performing his music including three tours of major Canadian folk festivals. He has released four solo albums (Stria, Andirivieni, Pria Goaea, Otto Baffi), in addition to the duo and trio albums. In 2016, he won the most prestigious Italian award for traditional music, the "Premio Città di Loano", with his album Otto Baffi. He is currently a member of the groups Choropo and Maestrale, with which he has performed at numerous acoustic music…

People in this episode

Host: Mel Biggs

Guest: Filippo Gambetta

Topics covered

  • traditional music
  • accordion
  • Madagascar culture
  • field recordings
  • spiritual ceremonies

Keywords

  • accordion
  • Madagascar
  • traditional music
  • Filippo Gambetta
  • field recordings
  • spiritual ceremonies
  • Halsway Manor

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Choropo, Maestrale

Books & works: Otto Baffi, Stria, Andirivieni, Pria Goaea

Places: Madagascar

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