VIVALDI ti racconto la sua vita

Summary

Antonio Vivaldi, born in 1678 in Venice, was a renowned violinist and composer. He became a priest but was soon excused from duties due to fragile health, earning the nickname 'Il Prete Rosso' for his red hair. Vivaldi worked at the Ospedale della Pietà, composing numerous works for its all-female orchestra and choir. His famous concertos, including 'The Four Seasons,' were not limited to violin, showcasing various instruments. Despite hardships, including the death of his sponsor, he continued composing until his death in poverty in 1741. Vivaldi's legacy lived on, inspiring composers like Johann Sebastian Bach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice in 1678 and was the son of a violinist in the San Marco Chapel.
• 😀 Vivaldi became a renowned violinist and was ordained as a priest in 1703, but was soon relieved of priestly duties due to his fragile health.
• 😀 He was nicknamed 'Il Prete Rosso' (The Red Priest) due to his bright red hair.
• 😀 In 1703, Vivaldi started working at the Ospedale della Pietà, a Venetian institution for orphans, where he composed music for their orchestra and choir.
• 😀 Vivaldi composed numerous concertos, primarily for solo instruments such as the violin, flute, oboe, and cello, reflecting the instruments played by the orphans at the Ospedale.
• 😀 He held several teaching positions over the years, including violin master, chapel master, choir master, and concertmaster.
• 😀 The Ospedale della Pietà's orchestra, made up of young female musicians, garnered praise from noble travelers of the time for its excellence in vocal and instrumental performances.
• 😀 Women were not allowed in other orchestras outside the Ospedale, and once they reached adulthood, they had two options: marry and give up music or remain at the institution as music teachers.
• 😀 Vivaldi's notable compositions include 'L'Estro Armonico,' 'La Stravaganza,' 'The Four Seasons,' and operas such as 'Orlando Furioso' and 'Tito Manlio,' which were performed across Italy and abroad.
• 😀 Vivaldi's travels took him to Vienna and Prague in 1730, where one of his works, 'Farnace,' was performed. His desire to become a composer at the Imperial Court of Vienna was thwarted by the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740.
• 😀 Vivaldi continued composing until his death in 1741, despite facing financial struggles. His international fame was further evidenced by Johann Sebastian Bach transcribing Vivaldi's concertos into new arrangements, a common homage among composers of the time.

Q & A

When was Antonio Vivaldi born?

Antonio Vivaldi was born in 1678 in Venice.

What nickname was Antonio Vivaldi given, and why?

Vivaldi was nicknamed 'Il Prete Rosso' (The Red Priest) because of his thick, bright red hair.

What was Vivaldi's primary profession before becoming a composer?

Vivaldi was initially ordained as a priest in 1703, although he was soon excused from officiating mass due to his fragile health.

What institution did Vivaldi work for in 1703, and what role did he play there?

In 1703, Vivaldi began working at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, an institution that housed orphans, primarily girls. He served in various roles, including as a violin teacher, chapel master, choir master, and concert master.

What types of musical works did Vivaldi primarily compose?

Vivaldi mainly composed concertos for one or more solo instruments and orchestra, as well as sacred music such as 'Gloria,' 'Beatus Vir,' and 'Kyrie.'

Why did Vivaldi compose for various instruments besides the violin?

Vivaldi wrote concertos for a variety of instruments, including the flute, oboe, and cello, due to the presence of female musicians at the Ospedale della Pietà who played these instruments.

How did contemporaries view the music performed by the girls at the Ospedale della Pietà?

Contemporary travelers and nobles were highly impressed by the performances, with reports noting the excellence of the girls' vocal and instrumental music, which was performed behind a screen, making the experience even more captivating.

What societal limitations did women face in music during Vivaldi's time?

In Vivaldi's era, women were not allowed to perform in public orchestras. Once they reached adulthood, the talented female musicians at the Ospedale della Pietà had only two options: either marry and give up music or remain at the institution and become music teachers.

Which famous works by Vivaldi are most recognized today?

Some of Vivaldi's most famous works include 'Le Quattro Stagioni' ('The Four Seasons'), 'L'Estro Armonico,' and 'La Stravaganza.'

What was Vivaldi's international reputation like during his lifetime?

Vivaldi enjoyed significant international fame, and his music was well-known across Europe. Johann Sebastian Bach even transcribed some of Vivaldi's concertos for other instruments, further attesting to Vivaldi's international influence and recognition.