Maestro Hugo Fiorato, principal conductor and conductor emeritus of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, of Southport, Conn. and Martha’s Vineyard, died peacefully on April 23 at age 98 in Boston. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by family.

Born in 1914 in New York City, Mr. Fiorato was the son of accomplished sculptor Noe Fiorato and singer Anna Kress of New York City. Maestro Fiorato actively performed with New York City Ballet for 56 seasons since the company’s inception in 1947 and retired from his full-time position at the ballet’s orchestra at age 90, becoming conductor emeritus.

He was a close friend of the company’s founder, choreographer George Balanchine. During the 1940s and 1950s, along with his duties at the New York City Ballet, Mr. Fiorato conducted the radio orchestras of the NBC Symphony. He also founded the nationally esteemed WQXR String Quartet, with which he performed for more than 20 years. He conducted ballets both in New York and internationally through five decades for different generations of the world’s premier dancers.

For 20 years, Mr. Fiorato was a summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard, at a small house overlooking Lambert’s Cove in West Tisbury. He was an avid fisherman and an accomplished water-color artist, finding much relaxation and inspiration on the Island.

Maestro Fiorato was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Joelyn Scott Fiorato, and his daughter, Jan Fiorato. He is survived by his son, James Fiorato, of Block Island, his stepsons, Christopher Scott of Edgartown and Jonathan Scott of Boston, and his stepdaughter, Stephanie Hunt, of Stowe, Vt., their spouses and Hugo’s six grandchildren, Jennifer, Jared, Victoria, Luis, Alaena and Tucker.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Joelyn’s Family Home, Victory Programs, 965 Massachusetts Ave., Boston MA 02118.