Each concerto depicts a scene appropriate for each season and is accompanied by a written description.

His famous set of 4 violin concertos, The Four Seasons, (1723) is considered to be an outstanding example of program music.

Their performances were well respected all around the region. The female orphans received expert musical instruction and became members of the choir and orchestra.

He produced many of his major works while employed for approximately 30 years as a master violinist at the Ospedale della Pieta, a home for abandoned children.

Vivaldi suffered from a form of asthma which limited his duties administering Mass but gave him more time to spend writing music.

It is speculated that this was due to his red hair, which was a family trait. At age 15, he began studies to become a priest and was nicknamed Il prêt Rosso, or The Red Priest.

Father and son toured Venice playing violin together.

Young Antonio was taught to play the violin by his father, a professional violinist who was also a barber.

On the day of his birth, March 4, 1678, a large earthquake occurred in Venice.

The following Vivaldi facts and trivia have been gleaned from various historical biographies and similar sources. Indeed, there’s more to Vivaldi’s life than simply his most recognized violin and orchestral compositions. Vivaldi must have been destined for greatness by virtue of his ground shaking birth and the fortune of being rediscovered by a caring patron of music history years after his death. One of which is that this musical genius narrowly missed being buried in oblivion more than once. However, not everyone is familiar with some of the most interesting aspects of his life. Most violinists and musicians are familiar with the beautiful series of violin concertos, The Four Seasons, crafted by the master baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.

Facts about antonio vivaldi