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Antonio Vivaldi

Early LifeAntonio Vivaldi was born and lived in Italy from 1678-1741.

He was a Baroque style composer and violinist.

Early LifeAntonio lived with his parents, father Giovanni and mother Camilla

Oldest of 9 children.

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Early LifeHis father Giovanni worked as a barber before becoming a professional violinist.

He taught Antonio to play the violin at a very young age.

The Red PriestOrdained as a priest in 1703.

However he had to quit because he suffered from what was probably asthma.

How He Made a LivingBy the age of 24, Antonio became the

maestro di violino (master of violin) at the Ospedale della Pietà, a convent, orphanage

and music school in Venice.

How He Made a LivingVivaldi worked at the Ospedale for the next thirty years, where he composed

most of his major works.

How He Made a LivingHe held many different roles while working there; he taught the English violas well as violin and became choir master.

Because he was composing music for the choir, many of his early works were oratorios. His most significant is JudithaTriumpans

He also taught the orphans music theory and how to play certain instruments.

How He Made a LivingAfter working at the Ospedale for about 12 years, Vivaldi was appointed maestro di’ concerti (music director), where he became responsible for all of the musical activity at the institution.

A Side JobIn 1717-18, Vivaldi was offered a new position as maestro di capella (master of the choir or orchestra) of the court of Prince Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt, governor of Mantua.

Prince Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt

The Four SeasonsDuring this period, Vivaldi wrote Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons), four violin concertos, depicting scenes appropriate for each season.

There is a debate as to whether the concertos were written to accompany four sonnets or vice versa. It is not known who wrote the sonnets, there is a theory that Vivaldi wrote them himself, given that each sonnet is broken down into three sections, neatly corresponding to a movement in the concerto.

What is a Concerto?A musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra, especially one conceived on a relatively large scale.

3-Movement ConcertoVivaldi created the 3-movement concerto.

Movement 1 – Fast

Movement 2 – Slow

Movement 3 – Fast

Concerto Grosso in D minor

Became the standard for all concertos to follow. Still the standard today

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Death

Vivaldi Died July 28th, 1741

Vivaldi's music was well received during his lifetime, but it later declined in popularity until its vigorous revival in the first half of the 20th century.

Today, Vivaldi ranks among the most popular and widely recorded of Baroque composers, second only to Johann Sebastian Bach.

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Significance

Created the 3 –Movement Concerto

Created Ritornello

Inspired Bach15