Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy, on March 4, 1678. He was the son
of a violinist in the orchestra of St. Mark's Cathedral. His father taught Vivaldi
music. In 1703, Vivaldi became a priest, but he quit a year later because of
health problems.
Vivaldi was employed by the Ospedalle della Pietà. The Ospedalle della
Pietà was an orphanage for girls. Vivaldi taught the girls how to sing
and they soon had the greatest music talent in Venice. He was also a violin
teacher. Vivaldi renewed his membership with the Ospedalle della Pietà
every year. Between 1709-1711, Vivaldi worked for Teatro Sant' Angelo, an opera
theater. At the end of 1717, Vivaldi moved to Mantua for two years in order
to take up his post as Chamber Capellmeister at the court of Landgrave Philips
van Hessen-Darmstadt. In 1726, Vivaldi became director of the Teatro Sant' Angelo.
Despite all these activities, Vivaldi stayed in contact with the Ospedalle della
Pietà. In 1738, Vivaldi was in Amsterdam where he conducted an opening
concert for the 100th Anniversary of the Schouwburg Theater. In 1740, he resigned
from the Ospedalle della Pietà. On July 28, 1741, Vivaldi died from asthmatic
bronchitis in Vienna, Austria, at age 63. He had a modest burial.
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