Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)

Antonio Vivaldi was born in 1678 in Venice. He was the son of a violinist for St. Mark’s, and was ordained into the priesthood in 1703. Vivaldi served the Ospedale della Pieta Orchestra, an orchestra consisting of orphaned girls, for most of his career though he served in various capacities. Starting in 1703, he served as Maestro di violino. Then in 1711 he served as Maestro di concerti, and in 1735 he accepted the position of Maestro di cappella. Vivaldi is famous for primarily his concertos including the Four Seasons. He wrote more than 500 concertos in all and introduced early examples of program music including portraying the barking of dogs and violent storms through purely musical means. He also gave the concerto its form of three movements (fast-slow-fast). Vivaldi wrote mainly concertos for the violin which he played amazingly.

Even after he accepted different posts at Ospedale della Pieta, he wrote and sent concertos to the Orchestra frequently. Vivaldi also served for various courts including the Dresden Court, and he did write more than 50 operas. He died in 1741 at the age of 63, but his contributions to the concerto has and will continue to impact all subsequent generations.