Antonio Vivaldi

1
Antonio Vivaldi

• (1678-1741)

2
The Life of Vivaldi

• Son of a violinist in Venice
• Trained to be a priest
• Had bright red hair
• Nicknamed The Red Priest

3
Vivaldis Music

• Wrote religious and secular music best known
  for his operas during his lifetime
• A priest writing opera was unusual
• Some music banned in Italy
• Conductor at St. Marks cathedral
• Orchestral music
• Popularized the string bass and cello as solo
  instruments
• Out of 500 concertos, 200 are for violin and
  string orchestra

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The Four Seasons

• Concerto for solo violin and string orchestra
• Early example of Program Music
• Musical representation of an idea or mood