DMV Member Spotlight: Dr. Francesco Ciabattoni – Bridging Medieval Literature and the Italian Song

The ISSNAF DMV Chapter is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Dr. Francesco Ciabattoni.

A Full Professor of Italian Literature and Director of Global Medieval Studies at Georgetown University, Dr. Ciabattoni is a brilliant scholar whose work spans the centuries—from the poetry of Dante and Boccaccio to the modern Italian singer-songwriters.

A Journey of Adventure and Intellectual Freedom

For Dr. Ciabattoni, the path to a distinguished academic career in North America was initially sparked by a sense of adventure, a love of travel, and the desire to discover new horizons, new ways of speaking, being, and seeing the world. He soon realized that America offered the opportunity to build a career doing exactly what he loved.

Finding a welcoming intellectual environment allowed his unconventional critical angle to flourish. America gave him the unique opportunity to write extensively about classical figures like Dante and Boccaccio, as well as Italian singer-songwriters—an academic combination that would not have been possible in Italy during the 1990s. Here, he found the room to work seriously and fairly on his literary interests, ultimately publishing his essays and poems. He notes that Americans were, and still remain, a welcoming people.

Rewarding Moments in the Classroom and Beyond While he experiences moments of personal pride when his research receives appreciation from colleagues, he finds the most meaningful professional moments in the classroom. For Dr. Ciabattoni, the greatest achievements occur when his students show they have taken the crucial step separating mere fascination with a subject from truly understanding it. It is in those transformative moments that he feels he has truly done his job.

The Architecture of The Italian Song Dr. Ciabattoni's passion for music extends far beyond the traditional classroom. He is the founder and director of The Italian Song, a bilingual archive dedicated to the Italian Canzone d’autore. The website features English translations and critical commentaries on Italian songs, serving as a vital bridge between Italian culture and the English-speaking world. Especially now, during the week of Sanremo 2026, his work highlights the profound literary value of Italian music and its enduring cultural impact.

Life Beyond the Classroom: The Aspiring Rock Star People might be surprised to learn about his early ambitions: at twenty years old, he wanted to be a singer-songwriter. However, he realized he wrote lyrics and music that were too poetic to sell, and suspects that as a poet, he would have been considered too "popular". He jokingly adds that maybe when he grows up, he will become a rock star.

Keeping Italian Roots Alive Despite living abroad and becoming Americanized in many respects—such as being very open to ethnic cuisine at restaurants—he proudly maintains several distinct Italian habits.

• He never drinks cappuccino after noon.

• He prefers walking or taking the bus, as he does not enjoy driving in the city.

• He frequently cooks at home and actively avoids fluorescent-looking foods.

Words of Wisdom for Future Scholars Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Ciabattoni offers a powerful message for young people considering a similar path outside their home country:

• Open yourselves to the world.

• Accept that starting a path abroad will change you, and you won't be able to remain the same.

• Try to find the beauty in that transformation.

• Recognize that you always lose something, and you always gain something.

We are honored to have Dr. Francesco Ciabattoni in the ISSNAF DMV community, championing Italian literature and music across borders!