1703 was a pivotal year for Antonio Vivaldi. He was ordained into the priesthood and began working at Pio Ospedale della Pieta (“Classical Net”). Priesthood was not Vivaldi’s first career choice, but being a priest was a sensible career for him because of his family’s poverty. It put bread on the table and allowed him to achieve a free education (“Antonio”). …show more content…
Antonio Vivaldi focused on keeping his music simple and clean without losing the expression and clear melodies in it. Because of his style and skill, his concertos at the Pieta would often be overflowing with admirers on Sunday afternoons. Francesco Gasparini, Vivaldi’s superior while at the Pieta, moved to Rome in 1714. His departure left Vivaldi with all of the important tasks. He had to continue composing and producing music for the Pieta choir and for his own career. Later in 1714, he published Op. 4, La Stravaganza. It received many praises because of its imaginative and suspenseful plot. Because of his high position and importance at the Pieta, he was allowed to leave in order to travel. He soon became involved with a lady named Anna Giraud. She was a singer that Vivaldi met while he served Phillip von Hessen who was the Governor of Mantua. Vivaldi invited Anna and her sister to travel with him and become female soloists for his operas (“Classical Net”). Although Vivaldi always acknowledged his relationship with the women to be just as friends, his escapades with Anna caused the church to deny his return to work (Gordon …show more content…
9 in 1728. Due to the church’s declination of Vivaldi, he was let go from the Pieta in 1738. His once filled concerts were now empty and he felt as if he were being taken advantage of (“Classical Net”). In hopes of a brighter future, Antonio Vivaldi moved to Vienna but died shortly due to asthmatic bronchitis (“Antonio”). He was laid to rest on July 28, 1741 with a pauper’s burial due to his shortage of money. In closing, Antonio Vivaldi is one of the most well-known and talented violinists, teachers, and composers of the Baroque period. He is known for creating and instituting the Baroque concerto grosso and the ritornello form (Gordon 67). He impacted the lives of many young girls by instilling in them a love for the violin like he had. Crowds all across Europe were enthralled by his moving and entertaining masterpieces. He wrote over 500 concertos and even influenced J.S. Bach during his lifetime (“Classical Net”; Gordon