The Life and History of Antonio Vivaldi free essay sample

He is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, sacred choral work, and over forty operas. One of his best pieces is a series or violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Antonio Vivaldi was born March 4th, 1678 in Venice. His parents were Giovanni Battista Vivaldi and Camilla Calicchia. Immediately after his birth he was baptised in his home by the mid-wife. It is believed that his baptism is a result of his poor health or an earthquake that took place in Venice that day. The day he was born, his mother dedicated his life to priesthood and two months later his official church baptism took place. Vivaldi had five siblings: Margaritta Gabriela, Cecilia Maria, Bonaventura Tomaso, Zanetta Anna, and Francesco Gaetano. Vivaldis father, Giovanni Battista, was a low class barber before he became a professional violinist. It was he who taught Antonio to play the violin. Giovanni toured Venice playing the violin with his son. We will write a custom essay sample on The Life and History of Antonio Vivaldi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However it is said that Giovanni Legrenzi gave young Antonio his first lessons in composition. Based on his musical talents, Antonio was probably taught at an early age. By age twenty-four he had very exstensive musical knowledge. As a child, Vivaldis health was a big issue. His symptoms of tightness in his chest were interpreted as a form of asthma. His asthma did not prevent him from playing violin or doing musical activities or composition. However Vivaldi wad incapable of playing wind instruments. In 1693, at the age of fifteen, he began siding as a priest. He was ordinated in 1703 at age twenty-five. He was nick named Il Prete Rossi ( The Red Priest ) because of his red hair. In 1704 Antonio was limited from celebrating mass because of his poor health. He said mass as a priest a few times. He soon withdrew from priestly duties, yet he remained a priest. At the height of his career, he received commissions from European royalty. The wedding cantata was was written for the marriage of Gloria a Lmeneo was composed for the marriage of Louis XV. In 1728 Vivaldi met Emperor Charles VI while visiting Trieste. Charles admired Antonios music so much that rumor is he spoke more with Antonio in their one sitting than with his ministers in over two years. Antonio Vivaldi who was accompanied by his father visited Vienna and Prague in 1730 where he presented hos opera Farnace. A few of Vivaldis later pieces were composed on collaboration with two of Italys major writters, Pietro Metastiaso, and Carlo Goldoni. Antonios work died down during his last few years of life. Due to this he was having great financial difficulties. He chose to sell off his manuscripts at enormous prices so he could move from Venice to Vienna. Shortly after arriving in Vienna, Charles VI died. This left Vivaldi with no protection of steady income. Soon after at age sixty-three, on the night of July twenty-seventh, 1741 Vivaldi became impoverished and died of internal infection. On July twenty-eighth he was burried in a simple grave. The burial ground was owned by the publie hospital fund. His funeral took place at St. Stephens Cathedral and was rather expensive for a low class burial. Antonio Vivaldi died leaving very innovative, enlightening, and rhythmic music. Although only three portraits of him are known to exists today. One is an engraving by Francis Morellon La Cave made in 1725. Another was an ink sketch done by Ghezzi in 1723. And the final one is an oil painting which is displayed in the Liceo Musicale of Bologna. After Antonio Vivaldi died many of his compositions were discovered.