MI:
LIBRARY: PEOPLE:
VIVALDI
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
March 4, 1678 -to- July 28, 1741
Vivaldi’s first and primary teacher was his father, a violinist in an
orchestra. Being the oldest, Vivaldi was trained for priesthood and ordained in
1703. Performing with his father often, Vivaldi became a brilliant violinist who
was appointed “violin master” at a music school.
Shortly after his ordination Vivaldi discontinued celebrating mass due to a
chronic illness which is believed to have been asthma. He didn’t, however,
completely discard religion as a career and would go on to be known as a religious
bigot.
Vivaldi’s compositions can be traced to his days as violin master and
include not only instrumental but also choral works. During the 1730’s,
Vivaldi’s music career diminished as a French traveler described his music as
no longer desirable, and Vivaldi saw more and more failure. In 1740 he traveled
to Vienna, but suffered illness and would ultimately die. The simple environment
of his funeral suggesting he died in poverty.
