RCM Basic History – Antonio Vivaldi (Baroque)

Antonio Vivaldi

        Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was born in Venice, Italy to Giovanni Battista, a professional violinist. Vivaldi’s father taught him how to play the violin. When he was fifteen, he started studying to become a priest. After ten years, he finally became a priest and soon after, he was nicknamed as “The Red Hair Priest”. He had to retire from the priesthood because of bad health and he became maestro di violino at Pio Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, an orphanage for girls. He wrote many concerti, cantatas and sacred music during this time. Vivaldi lost his job because of economic reasons in 1709 but was given the job again in 1711 and in 1713, he became in charge for all the musical activity in the institute. He was promoted again in 1716 to maestro de’ concerti. Vivaldi wrote many pieces of music, especially operas and concerti, during theses years. He is assumed as one of the composers who led Baroque music to change into the classical style. Vivaldi died in poverty, like many composers in the Baroque time period. The changing musical preferences made his compositions not as famous as they had been before. He decided to sell many of his manuscripts to pay for his trip to Vienna. It is not known why he wanted to go to Vienna but it is likely that he wanted to meet Charles VI, the emperor, since he still loved Vivaldi’s music. He was given the job of being the royal composer in Charles VI’s Imperial Court. Soon, Charles VI died leaving Vivaldi without protection and a source of income. He was then forced to sell more of his manuscripts to obtain enough money for himself. He soon died after that in 1741. He was buried in Vienna in the area of the Technical Institute and his house in Vienna was torn down. Unfortunately, Vivaldi’s work wasn’t well known till the 20th century.