The Life and History of Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian baroque composer. 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. Vivaldi's 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. 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, Vivaldi's 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