Antonio Vivaldi
Celebrating the Birth of One of History’s Greatest Composers
Personal life
Born on the 4th of March, 1678, in Venice, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was the son of a professional violinist. Acting as his violin mentor and teacher from a young age, Vivaldi’s father was also responsible for connecting him with the best musicians and composers that 17th century Venice offered. It was only due to a slew of breathing problems that Vivaldi could not excel in the wind instrument world to the same degree as he did for composing.
Vivaldi would also devote himself to religion. He began his journey towards priesthood at the age of 15. He was ordained in 1703; however, he was forced to abandon this path shortly afterward due to poor health.
Career
Antonio Vivaldi’s Baroque-style compositions were hugely innovative and massively influential in the world of classical music,
While becoming a master of violin at Venice’s Ospedale della Pietà over 30 years, Vivaldi would present a large portion of his most celebrated works to the world. Within a hospital dedicated to the education of orphans, many youngsters were trained as musicians, and the most gifted students would join up with Vivaldi’s orchestra. With the orchestra soon receiving international renown, Vivaldi would climb from a master of the violin to music director in 1716.
By 1715, he wrote operatic scores and concerti and choral music. Between 1717 and 1721, Vivaldi composed The Four Seasons in Mantua. This was his four-part magnum opus, presented alongside four sonnets that many believe have also been written by Vivaldi. Gaining a host of admirers, including royalty, he would write the cantata Gloria e Imeneo for King Louis XV’s and even be knighted by Emperor Charles VI.
Sadly, even such high acclaim was not enough to support Vivaldi long-term throughout his life. With the times changing musically and new talent rising, he moved from Vienna to Austria. It is believed that Vivaldi was looking for work in the court of Charles VI. However, the composer found himself utterly without income in the wake of the monarch’s death.
