Born in 1678 in Venice, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi went on to become one of the world’s greatest Baroque composers. Before his classical music career he was actually a priest, ordained in 1703!
Vivaldi left the priesthood several years later because of physical ailments according to him. Stay in a beautiful villa rental in Veneto where you can easily explore where Vivaldi was born and raised.
Some speculate that he only pursued the life of a priest to obtain a free education which was the only option for poor families at the time.
Vivaldi left the priesthood several years later because of physical ailments according to him. Stay in a beautiful villa rental in Veneto where you can easily explore where Vivaldi was born and raised.
Some speculate that he only pursued the life of a priest to obtain a free education which was the only option for poor families at the time.
Stories are told of his rush to leave the altar during mass to jot down musical ideas in the sacristy. But such a gift to the world of music was his leaving of the priesthood as he went on to create delightful classical music, namely his masterpiece titled ‘The Four Seasons’.
This was an uplifting series of four violin concertos where each concerto represented a different season.
Vivaldi staged some of his operas in Venice, Mantua and Vienna to quite some success. Sadly though, even composers of Vivaldi’s genius could be stricken by poverty due to their expensive opera staging’s that often didn’t draw in the large crowds for a series of concerts that was needed to cover all the costs and pay their wages.
This was an uplifting series of four violin concertos where each concerto represented a different season.
Vivaldi staged some of his operas in Venice, Mantua and Vienna to quite some success. Sadly though, even composers of Vivaldi’s genius could be stricken by poverty due to their expensive opera staging’s that often didn’t draw in the large crowds for a series of concerts that was needed to cover all the costs and pay their wages.
In 1741, Antonio Vivaldi died in poverty and his masterpieces of classical music slipped into darkness for many years. Thankfully in the 20th century, his music was revived and fell upon more appreciative ears.
He once again (albeit posthumously) rose through the ranks to become one of the world’s most popular baroque composers alongside the great Sebastian Bach.
Learn about other important people that came from Italy in our interesting collection of accompanying articles!
He once again (albeit posthumously) rose through the ranks to become one of the world’s most popular baroque composers alongside the great Sebastian Bach.
Learn about other important people that came from Italy in our interesting collection of accompanying articles!