Free Essay

Antonio Vivaldi

In:

Submitted By bigbaloney
Words 890
Pages 4
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi

Birth: Antonio Vivaldi had been born on March the 4th, 1678. He was baptized immediately after birth

Early Adult Years: Antonio Vivaldi was made a priest in 1703. But, according to him, a year later after becoming a priest, he no longer wanted to celebrate Mass due to complaints like “tightness of chest”. This may have been genuine or fake. It may have been genuine, in which case, the illness was probably asthma. It may have been faked due to his greater love of music, so he could spend more time writing it and jotting ideas down instead of celebrating mass. Anyways, Antonio Vivaldi became a clergyman against his own will. He probably became one in the first place because in his days, that was usually the only way a poor family (in Vivaldi’s case, his family and himself) could get free education. He did remain a priest though, even if he did not do all the Mass because of his poor health and asthma.

Antonio Vivaldi wrote many great and fantastic musical pieces that earned him a great reputation as a musician, such as Opus 3 and the Four Seasons. But he also wrote lots more small pieces, rather like 5 finger exercises and warm-ups for a beginner, amateur, or student. And this is what they were. Vivaldi worked for the Ospedale Della Pieta for most of the time. An Ospedale is normally termed an orphanage. But this Ospedale was a little different. It was a home for the female children of noblemen, rich men, merchants, wealthy men, etc. and their numerous relationships with their mistresses. The Ospedale was therefore well paid for by the “anonymous/unknown” fathers. The furnishings were very good; the young ladies were well taken care of. And, the musical standards in there were among the highest in all of Venice. Loads of Vivaldi’s concerti stuff was exercises he played with his talented and gifted pupils. However, his relationship with the Ospedale was often strained, and he had to be voted on the board every year in order to keep teaching. He was actually outvoted in 1709, but was reinstated in 1711, when his importance was recognized. He was then promoted in 1713 to be the person responsible for the musical activity of the institution. He was promoted again in 1716, to music director.

.

Vivaldi’s best instrument for him to play would probably be a violin. He was a violinist.

Middle Adult Years: During his time at the Ospedale, he wrote much of his music, including loads of operas and concerti. In 1705, his works were published for the first time. Opus 1 had been published. Opus 2 followed. But his first really fantastic breakthrough was Opus 3, published in 1711. It was a collection of 12 concerti with pieces for one, two, and four violins with strings. This wonderful success was soon followed by Opus 4.

In 1718, Vivaldi started travelling. But the Ospedale still paid him to write 2 concerti per month and to rehearse with them 5 times or more whenever he was in Venice. He was paid for 140 concerti for ten years, from 1723-1733.

In 1717, Antonio Vivaldi was offered the position of Kapellmeister/Chapel Master or Maestro di Cappella, in the court of Prince Phillip of Hesse-Darmstadt governor of Mantua, the Capital city of Mantua. This was a very high position. Vivaldi accepted, and moved there for three years. He produced several operas during that time. In 1721, he went to Milan for a while, to perform some things (I won’t bother with names; these are too long and complicated for me to even say). He moved to Rome in 1722, which is where Pope Benedict the Eighth invited Vivaldi to play for him. After 3 years in Rome, Vivaldi returned to Venice in 1725, where he produced more operas in the very same year.

Vivaldi also managed to squeeze in The Four Seasons in that epic year too. They were the first four in a collection of twelve with a long name for another Opus, Opus 8. (Man he’s written a lot of Opuses).

Late Adult Years: During his career height, Vivaldi was asked by many royalties and noblemen to play for them. He played for some weddings and wrote another Opus, Opus 9.

Emperor Charles the Sixth adored Vivaldi’s music, and he knighted him and gave him a gold medal, and an invitation to Vienna to work for him. In turn, Vivaldi wrote some good music for Charles the Sixth.

Vivaldi’s life ended in financial difficulties, for Vivaldi left Venice. He went to Vienna to perform and work for Charles the Sixth, who unfortunately died shortly after Vivaldi arrived. This tragedy put Vivaldi in a sticky situation. He no longer had Royal protection and money and income, aka. No job.
Death: It is perhaps not very surprising that Vivaldi died soon after Charles, a year later, on the 27th of July, 1741. On July 28 he was buried in a simple grave. His funeral also took place shortly after his death.

Although Vivaldi has died long ago, he has not been forgotten. There are monuments and memorial plaques at his last resting place and his last dwelling place in Vienna. His works are still remembered, 268 years after he died.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Antonio Vivaldi

...Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi was one of the leading musicians of the Baroque period. He was a classical composer and musician. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy to Giovanni Battista Vivaldi and Camilla Calicchio. He was the oldest of five children. Giovanni was a barber who later became a professional violinist. It was Antonio’s father who taught him to play the violin and together they toured Venice and were even noted as one of Venice’s main tourist attractions. When Vivaldi was around 14 or 15 he began the study of priesthood; in the 1600s, this was a common way for a poor family to get a free education for their child. Vivaldi was ordained on March 23, 1703 at the age of 25. He was known as the ‘Red Priest’ because of his red hair. Vivaldi worked at an orphanage which was called the Ospedale della Pieta (Hospice of Mercy) as the maestro di violin This was an all-girls orphanage, which was for the illegitimate daughters of Venice’s noblemen and the school was dedicated to the education and care of young women. The musical standards at Ospedale were among the highest in Venice and Vivaldi served as the music director. At Ospedale, every month he would write two concerti for the girls’ choir to perform, these accounted for the large variety of the music Vivaldi wrote. These concerti were often quite difficult, and the girls of the Ospedale choir must have possessed a great amount of talent to perform them. Several of Vivaldi’s students...

Words: 990 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Vivaldi

...Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi was born on March 4th, 1678, in Venice, Italy. His father, a barber and a talented violinist at Saint Mark's Cathedral himself, had sparked interest in music in young Antonio. He helped him in making a decision of taking on a career in music. He encouraged and made him enter the Cappella di San Marco orchestra, where he soon became a highly appreciated violinist (Wikipedia). In 1703 Vivaldi became a priest known by the nickname "The Red Priest", because of his red hair. He was not interested in priesthood and the only reason for joining was his financial situation. That was was the only possible way for his poor family to receive free schooling. Nevertheless, very soon, in 1704, he was pardoned from celebrating the Holy Mass because of his bad health. Later, he became a violin teacher at an orphanage for girls called Ospedale della Pietà in Venice. The orphans soon started to gain appreciation and esteem as Vivaldi wrote most of his concertos, cantata, and sacred music for them. In 1705 the first collection of his works was published. He was a prolific composer producing over 500 concertos, 46 Operas, symphonies, 73 sonatas, chamber music, and sacred music. His most famous work is believed to be the Four Seasons (Wikipedia). Vivaldi's music is especially innovative since he added brightness to the very formal and rhythmic structure of concertos. He constantly searched for harmonic contrasts, creating innovative melodies and themes. Vivaldi’ ultimate...

Words: 712 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Monteverdi's Life During The Baroque Period

...Monteverdi came around at the end of the Renaissance period leading into the Baroque period, all the way back in the 17th century. Meanwhile, Vivaldi would not come around till the 18th century, much later into the Baroque period. Monteverdi’s writing focused around only vocal pieces, most of which were operas. His first Opera he published, Orfeo, is what really got Monteverdi’s name out there. After his big success from Orfeo, he went on to publish his second Opera, L’Arianna. Monteverdi was very well known for capturing expression and feelings within his compositions. Vivaldi also wrote an opera of his own, called Ottone in villa. Vivaldi, just like Monteverdi, also wrote many vocal pieces. However, the difference is between them, that Vivaldi...

Words: 688 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Vivaldi

...Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi, also known as the Red Priest, was a Baroque music composer. Not only was he a composer, he was expert violinist. Being born on March 4th, 1678 in Venice, Italy, he grew up being a priest in mind. He was then ordained in 1703 obtaining the name “Red Priest” because he had red hair. After his priesting days, he became a violin teacher at an orphanage for girls named Pio Ospedale della Pieta. After writing a little while teaching, he began to see his true potential and so did the people around him. In 1713 he decided to take leave off of the orphanage and play at his first opera in Vicenza named Ottone in villa. Up-starting his career he traveled around composing operas, cantatas and concert music. After countless operas, cantatas and concerts, Vivaldi has reached a magnificent goal of becoming a famous composer. Before Vivaldi decided to become a composer, he was studying to become a priest. He began at the age of 15. In 1703 he was ordained as a priest, also obtaining the name “Red Priest”. It was said that Vivaldi had an asthma condition. Wearing the priest uniform squeezed his chest making it very hard for him to breathe. About a year into being a priest, he had to quit because of his asthma condition. Moving on, Vivaldi picked up a violin and practiced that. He played at the orphanage for girls named Pio Ospedale della Pieta. Constantly playing there, he was appointed to be a violin teacher. He taught the young girls there from 1703...

Words: 883 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

...Vivaldi’s violin concerto The Four Seasons (1725) is an excellent example of the music of the Baroque era. The Baroque era was a time of artistic revolution. Virtuosic concertos, especially for stringed instruments like the violin, were great examples of this. Antonio Vivaldi was known for his work on such pieces - his most well known set of concertos is considered The Four Seasons. During the baroque era, it was quite common for musical pieces to tell stories, or invoke specific emotions, also known as ‘program music.’ It was intended to tell a story, and Vivaldi became a legend in the style. The Four Seasons does this wonderfully. In fact, there were sonnets that go along with the piece, describing each season. The piece titled Summer,...

Words: 779 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Essay

...In a Tempest of Thoughts The advent of spring is a harbinger in unveiling the conundrum of the seasonal fiesta of nature. It is more like an epiphany-- a small phase by itself but together with its predecessors, reveals the grand design of the entirety of the seasonal cycle. The rhapsodies of emanation of new lives and the bursting of lilacs to their fullest of blooms, the gleaming sunshine and the vibrant sonata of the birds; cumulatively seek to quench the thirsty heart of a love-sucked hart like me! Who, in this unfolding of the symphony of spring, is such an imbecile as not to be enraptured by the wizardry of “Two Tramps in Mud time” by Robert Frost, or not to be enthralled by the pensive T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”, or not to be enamoured by the soft baritone of Nat King Cole’s “Love is an April rose that grows in the early spring”? In this Arcadian backdrop, I was listening to Vivaldi’s seminal composition, “Four Seasons”. The classical concertos, each brilliantly portraying the four essential seasons, “Spring”, “Summer”, “Fall” and “Winter”. As I was ruminating on the opening notes of the piece on “Spring”, I felt that I have been greeted coldly by the winter of despair more often than that of the spring of hope. Was I being unnecessarily cynical? Could it be that I was cocooned in a cobweb of an overblown sense of self-importance so much so that I had turned pretty petulant at the herald of any misfortune...

Words: 694 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Hum 112 Week 1

...of a beautiful spring day. The concerto begins in allegro and slows down and picks up again as if it is telling a story of spring. What I like most about the Four Seasons’ Spring is that I feel refreshed, renewed, everything that spring represents. After listening to all four of the concertos, I was able to relate to each season through the music. I also enjoy jazz music and I can sit and listen to the instruments and they sometimes sound like words that speak to your soul and spirit, soothing and refreshing, creating a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the day. Sayre, H. (2012). The Baroque in Italy. In The Humanities: Culture, Continuity and Change (Vol. 2, pp. 697-698). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Four Seasons ~ Vivaldi. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8,...

Words: 296 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mercy Versus Justice in the Merchant of Venice

...deserve. However, depending on one’s circumstances, the definitions of these two words could be defined differently to our own favor. Essentially, the problem to be resolved is how mercy and justice can be applied simultaneously. If one were to show mercy, then they would let go of the perpetrator freely, but would this be what the victim deserves? Through the conflict between Antonio and Shylock, “The Merchant of Venice” demonstrates how personal definitions of mercy and justice skew the way a problem between two parties is resolved. The contrasting positions between the Antonio and Shylock reaches its breaking point in the court trial where the once oppressed Shylock decides to refuse Antonio mercy. In public, Antonio, as with the rest of the Christian population, openly mistreat the Jewish people such as Shylock, calling them “dogs” and even spit on them. Moreover, through the bond made between him and Antonio, Shylock loses his daughter, Jessica, to the Christians with Lorenzo stealing her away. Blinded by anger, Shylock seeks revenge and insists on “justice” against the Christians through Antonio by fulfilling the condition of the inhumane bond; by parting with a pound of Antonio’s flesh although this, in reality is unjust. Shylock considers himself right in his position by claiming that he was only demanding legally what is written in the bond that was agreed upon between the two parties. Christians, under the dominant Venetian social beliefs, are characterized as...

Words: 924 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Macbeth and Me

...agreements even if it is a promise of love, or helping someone out. Agreements usually are made with a contract, a hand shake or by trusting the words spoken. In the play Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare, the characters Bassanio, Antonio and Shylock make many agreements throughout the play which help the reader learn about the personalities and thoughts of the characters. Bassanio makes the most risky pacts that cause a change in the thoughts and views of the other characters. Bassanio asks Antonio if he may borrow money from Shylock for him, creating a problem between Antonio and Shylock. Antonio needs to pay Shylock the money that Bassanio owes him within the next three months. Since Antonio is not able to meet that deadline, Shylock uses this opportunity to seek revenge on Antonio due to their difference in religion. Although all three men were involved, the agreement only included Shylock and Antonio. “Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound.”(I, iii, 8-9). What Shylock means by “Antonio bound” is that if Antonio cannot or does not pay Shylock, Antonio will have a pound of flesh removed from him. This shows the recklessness of Bassanio as he borrows money and does not think about the consequences Antonio will face. Another agreement Bassanio makes is a promise to his love Portia that he will never take the ring she gave him off even though his love for her originated from a want of money. “…but when this ring parts from this finger, then parts...

Words: 1329 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Act 4

...ACT IV, SCENE 1 Summary The court in Venice is in session. The Duke of Venice expresses sympathy for Antonio, who thanks the Duke for the efforts he has made in dissuading Shylock from claiming his bond. Antonio holds no grudges, for he recognizes that the law must be followed. The Duke thinks that Shylock may have brought events to this stage to torment Antonio and feels that Shylock does not really intend to have his pound of flesh. The Duke asks for Shylock to be brought in. In a final attempt to dissuade Shylock, the Duke tells him that everyone expects mercy to be shown Antonio at the last moment. He also says that Antonio has been tormented enough and should now be released. It is also hoped that Shylock will reduce the amount Antonio owes him, taking pity on his reduced circumstance. Shylock, however, has sworn to collect his due and nothing will dissuade him. He could have three thousand ducats instead of flesh, but he has refused this offer consistently. He maintains that his stubbornness is the result of the loathing that he bears for Antonio. Bassanio and Shylock argue about killing Antonio. Antonio interrupts and says that there is no point in trying to dissuade Shylock. Bassanio offers more and more of Portia's money to the Jew without any result. The Duke again asks Shylock to show mercy, reminding him that sometime he may need some mercy himself. Shylock's reply is that he will not seek pity since he does nothing wrong. He reminds the Christians that they are...

Words: 5345 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

Explore the Dramatic Interest of Act I in 'the Merchant of Venice'

...Lucas Glanville Explore the Dramatic Interest of Act I in The Merchant of Venice The play opens with Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, speaking about his deep sadness to his friends, Salarino and Solanio, although he is at a loss to explain why he is so sad. This immediately intrigues the audience and forces them to wonder why he is in such a melancholy mood themselves. Antonio's depression is coupled with Portia's own similar weariness (Line I, Scene II), whose opening line echoes Antonio's. Shakespeare contrasts their two separate worlds very effectively, comparing the world of downtown Venice - a gritty, male world dominated by business, politics and conflict - and that of Belmont, which is a dream-like, female space in which thoughts of love and marriage prevail. These two characters feeling almost identical feelings in parallel worlds tells the audience that it is inevitable that they will come together in some way. A dramatic device used throughout the first act is tension. Various elements of the plot are woven together in such a way that we are often left on a mini cliffhanger, wondering what will happen next. First of all, there is of course the bond, when Shylock demands a "pound of flesh" off Antonio if he is not paid back soon enough. Antonio takes the bond lightly; but Bassanio is suspicious of it from the start: "I like not fair terms and a villain's mind". The audience knows that the deal will have bad consequences, despite Antonio's ignorance to this...

Words: 544 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Bless Me Ultima

...Jacob Garcia Bless Me, Ultima Outline I. (Thesis Statement):  Antonio Matures throughout his life with the help of Ultima and his family. He grows emotionally and spiritually over the course of the novel.   II. (What is the first point you are making? SENTENCE) Antonios parents teach him the ways of Ultima. Makes antonio think about being a priest.             A. (proof – not a sentence) She heals and does good for people.             B. (quote or partial quote – with page number)    “There isnt a family that she did not help...no road was to long for her to walk to its end to snatch somebody from the jaws of death.” (Anaya 3)   III.  Ultima comes to stay with him and teaches Antonio more about God.             A. Antonio is curious as to what happen the night before and questions God.                 B. “ and more important me hijo, you must never judge who God forgives and who he doesn't.” (Anaya 33)     IV. Antonio witness many deaths and a normal seven year old would not be able to stay and pray with a dead man in front of him. A normal one would run away scared to death. Antonio prays for Narsico at the tree                                    B. “I knew I had to pray. I had to pray an Act of Contrition for his departing soul, like I prayed for Lupito. But I had not held Lupito while his body went cold.”      V Antionio takes control of things at the end. He knows exactly what is going on and reacts like a man. A. he is trying...

Words: 345 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Summary of Merchant of Venice

...The Merchant of Venice opens on a street in Venice, where Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains of a sadness he can't quite explain. His friends suggest they'd be sad too if they had as much merchandise to worry about as Antonio. Apparently all of his money is tied up in various sea ventures to exotic locales. But Antonio is certain it's not money that's bothering him. Antonio's friend Bassanio enters the scene, and we learn that Bassanio has been at the forefront of Antonio's mind. Apparently Bassanio just got back from a secret trip to see an heiress named Portia in Belmont. Bassanio financed his trip (and in fact, his entire lifestyle) by borrowing tons of money from Antonio. Portia is beautiful, intelligent, and, most important, rich. If Bassanio could only get together the appearance of some wealth, he would be in a good position to compete with all the other guys vying for Portia's attention. If they marry, he's all set financially. Antonio would be happy to lend Bassanio the money he needs to woo Portia, except, as we know, all of Antonio's money is at sea. The two friends part ways, agreeing that they'll try to raise the funds on Antonio's credit around town. Meanwhile, even rich heiresses have their troubles. Portia is plagued by suitors from the four corners of the earth but isn't allowed to choose the one she wants. Instead, her father, before his death, devised an unusual test. Three caskets – one gold, one silver, and one lead – are laid out before each suitor...

Words: 1615 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Drama in GlüCksburg

...his attempt to free Antonio of the loan he owes to Shylock to keep Antonio alive. Description The play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ opens up on a street in Venice. Antonio, a merchant, has some troubles he can’t explain. Bassanio, a friend of Antonio, enters the scene. He just came back from a trip, which was paid by Antonio. On the trip, he saw an heiress called Portia in Belmont. Portia is beautiful, clever and not to mention very rich. Bassanio wants to merry Portia, but he doesn’t have the money to go to Belmont. Antonio is paying for everything that Bassanio does, and again he will pay for the trip. The only problem is that all Antonio’s money is being held at sea. Antonio and Bassanio decides to go around town and raise the money. Meanwhile, Portia has to get married, but she can’t decide who she wants herself. Her father, before his death, made a test. Tre boxes, one gold, one silver and one bronze. Then suitors from the four corners of the world is coming and has to pick one of the boxes. The box with a picture of Portia, gets to marry her. Portia is complaining about all the men that comes to see her because she says there is something wrong with each and one of them. Antonio and Bassanio goes to a man named Shylock to borrow 3.000 ducats. Bassanio borrows them on Antonio’s credit. The only problem there is, is that Antonio hates Jews and is disdainful against Shylock whenever he has the chance. Shylock will loan the money to Antonio if Antonio signs a bond, saying...

Words: 891 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Merchent of Venice

...Merchent of venice The Merchant of Venice opens on a street in Venice, where Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains of a sadness he can't quite explain. His friends suggest they'd be sad too if they had as much merchandise to worry about as Antonio. Apparently all of his money is tied up in various sea ventures to exotic locales. But Antonio is certain it's not money that's bothering him. Antonio's friend Bassanio enters the scene, and we learn that Bassanio has been at the forefront of Antonio's mind. Apparently Bassanio just got back from a secret trip to see an heiress named Portia in Belmont. Bassanio financed his trip by borrowing tons of money from Antonio. Portia is beautiful, intelligent, and, most important, rich. If Bassanio could only get together the appearance of some wealth, he would be in a good position to compete with all the other guys vying for Portia's attention. If they marry, he's all set financially. Antonio would be happy to lend Bassanio the money he needs to woo Portia, except, as we know, all of Antonio's money is at sea. The two friends part ways, agreeing that they'll try to raise the funds on Antonio's credit around town. Meanwhile, Portia is plagued by suitors from the four corners of the earth but isn't allowed to choose the one she wants. Instead, her father, before his death, devised an unusual test. Three caskets – one gold, one silver, and one lead – are laid out before each suitor, and whoever picks the right one gets the girl. Portia...

Words: 1487 - Pages: 6