Services at the Pietà more resembled concerts than religious occasions, and they were important events on the social calender for Venetian nobility and visitors.
In September 1703, Vivaldi obtained his first official post as the "maestro di violino" for the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, one of four institutions in Venice devoted to the care of orphans and specializing in the musical training of the girls who showed aptitude. Although we don't know specifically of his harpsichord playing until much later, it is probable that he was also proficient on that instrument by this time as well. At least once during this period - in 1696 - he is known to have been engaged as an additional violinist at St. None of the other children became musicians, although Antonio's brother, Francesco, had an entrepreneurial spirit and was a paving contractor and publisher in addition to being a wigmaker.įrom 1693 to 1703, Vivaldi received training as a priest. He undoubtedly was close to Antonio, with whom he lived in three different apartments in Venice between 17, the year of his death (only five years before Antonio). Mark's, Giovanni was engaged under the name Rossi, which suggests that red hair was a family trait. Mark's Chapel in Venice, Vivaldi became known for his vanity, temper, and obsession with money - as well as for his intensely energized music that prefigures classical forms, romantic virtuosity, and 19th century program music.Īntonio was the eldest of the children born to Giovanni Vivaldi - a barber before he became a violinist - and Camillo Calichio, a tailor's daughter.
Born in 1678 to one of the leading violinists of the famous St. Antonio Vivaldi's nickname, "il prete rosso" (the red priest), tells us much about his character and music.
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