2. Born inVenice 1678, the son of a
professional violinist, and began
studying composition at age 13.
Taught violin at Pio Ospedalla de
la Pieta (Devout Hospital of Mercy)
Ordained as a priest in 1703 – referred to fondly as
“The Red Priest” because of his auburn hair.
An outrageously successful composer in his time but
died a pauper inVienne in 1741.
3. Institute meant to give shelter and
education to orphaned, abandoned
or underprivileged children
The most talented students were
permitted to stay after graduation
Master ofViolin and Director of Music
Taught music to the students, composed at least 4
pieces of music per month, organized, rehearsed for
and produced several large-scale concerts per year,
4. Sacred music
Stabat Mater (“The Sorrowful Mother Stood”)
Oratorio: Moyses Deus Pharaonis;Juditha triumphans
Opera
More than 40: Armida; L’incoronazione de Dario
Cantata
Instrumental music
Concertos (especially for violin)
Sonatas for strings
“Connor casara” and “L’estro armonico” 12 concerti for
1/2/4 violins
▪ Breakthrough compositions
5. As a priest, and living in a time where religion
was very influential on music,Vivaldi wrote
often on the theme of religion.
Stabat Mater – A hymnal setting of a Catholic
poem depicting Mary, Jesus’ mother, during
his crucifixion
▪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchFa3l7ZUQ
▪ Sung by countertenor Philippe Jaroussky
6. Armida – Music byVivaldi; libretto by Palazzo
Based on the story of a witch, Armida, who attempts
to foil a Christian army’s plan to invade Muslim
territory but instead falls in love with Rinaldo, who
she planned to kill.
Written for Carnival season in 1738
Excerpts of the opera are now missing, including
the entire second act; and have been re-written
by other composers
▪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSk1BvgmjE
▪ Raffaella Milanesi as Armida
7. Best-known for his violin concertosThe Four Seasons (Le
quattro stagioni)
Wrote a number of 5-finger exercises for his students at
the Conservatory which also doubled as pieces for
performance (concerti)
Music for strings very challenging Vivaldi was a virtuoso
and challenged his students to play as well as he did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGdFHJXciAQ
Winter fromThe Four Seasons withVenetian Carnival masks
8. Vivaldi retired from his position at the
Conservatory in 1940
Becoming ill
Planned on moving fromVenice toVienna
Died of “internal fire” (asthmatic bronchitis) in 1941
shortly after arriving inVienna
In later years, other composers celebrated his
music by performing it or re-arranging it.Today,
his music is heralded as some of the most
beautiful and definitive to come out of the
Baroque era.