Born: March 4, 1678
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: July 28, 1741 in Vienna, Austria
Also Known As: His full name is Antonio Lucio Vivaldi. Believed to have invented the ritornello form, virtuoso violinist, composer, maestro de’ concertin, influenced instrumental music during the later part of the Baroque period. Vivaldi also worked at the Ospedale della Pietà first as a violin master then as instrumental music director and later as a contributor of compositions. He also worked for Prince Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt, where he was a director of secular music.
Type of Compositions: He is famous for his over 500 concertos, he also wrote oratorios, operas and sonatas.
Influence: Vivaldi learned to play the violin through his father, Giovanni Battista, and they even toured Venice together where he performed. 1696 is known as his first public performance, he performed with his father.
Notable Works: Among his greatest works are his oratorios; "Moyses Deus Pharaonis," and "Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernes barbarie", his operas "Ottone in villa" and "Orlando finto pazzo" and his concertos ""La Primavera" ,"The Four Seasons", and "Il favorito".
Interesting Fact: Before Vivaldi became a well-renowned musician he was first a priest. He was fondly called “The Red Priest” due to the color of his hair. He withdrew from the priesthood in 1706. He made his debut as a composer in 1713.
Music Sample: A 'Spring' from the Four Seasons
