Antonio Vivaldi ~ Baroque Composer
A red priest? I thought he was a musician!
Does listening to music of Vivaldi put a "Spring" in your step? Does his music warm your heart like the "Summer" sun? Fall ("Autumn") into your favorite comfy chair and treat your ears to some delightfully creative masterpieces I have selected for you! Vivaldi's music won't leave you cold as "Winter". No matter what the "Season", Antonio has it all covered! Now, about this "red priest" thing, well, you'll just have to read the page on that one! So, listen to some great music and read about this Baroque composer whose music needs no fixing! {Baroque (broke) ~ fixing ~ get it?} LOL! Yes, I know I have a unique sense of humor and should just stick to sharing my love of music. Enjoy! (Don't worry, I won't make any more puns on the page. :D)
Who was Vivaldi?
Just the Facts!
Portrait of Antonio Vivaldi by Franis Morellon de la Cave at Wikipedia
Full Name: Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
Born: March 4, 1678
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Family: Mother Camilla Calicchio & Father Giovanni Battista both children of tailors - Married in 1676 - Antonio oldest of 9 siblings
Interesting Fact: Earthquake on Vivaldi's Birthdate
Health: Suffered with Bronchial Asthma
Personality: Known to be arrogant and cocky.
Musical Instructor: His father, Giovanni Battista, Violinist at St. Mark's
Major Instrument: Violin
First Occupations: Performed & Toured with Giovanni Battista 1690's
Religion: Studied and Served as a Priest 1693 - 1706
Nickname: Il Prete Rosso ~ "The Red Priest" because of his red hair.
Positions Held: Violinist, Instrumental Director, & Composer for the Ospedale della Piet
Musical Director for Prince Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt
Musical Style Period: Baroque
Contemporary Composers: Arcangelo Corelli, George Frideric Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell
Types of Music Composed: 500+ Concertos (over 200 alone for violin - others for woodwinds and strings), 46 Operas, Oratorios & other Sacred Choral Music, 90 Sonatas, Symphonies, Chamber Music
Most Famous Compositions: The Four Seasons
Operas: First in 1714 - Orlando finto pazzo; 21 Operas Composed
Adulthood: Traveled Europe frequently to Premiere & Direct Operas and other Selections
Died: July 28, 1741 in Vienna, Austria
Gloria! - Part 1
Listen to Gloria! ~ Part 2 and Gloria! ~ Part 3, also. :)
"Spring" from The Four Seasons - Performed by Itzhak Perlman & the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Which is your favorite musical season?
LDBMDA?
Laus Deo Beataeque
Mariae Deiparae Amen
"Praise God, the blessed Mary,
and the Son of God. Amen."
Note on Vivaldi's Manuscripts
The 99 Most Essential Vivaldi Masterpieces! - by Various Artists
Music Education - Music History for Children
Lesson Plans:
Vivaldi & the Four Seasons from Canada's National Arts Center ~ This free 34 page document is written for teachers and parents and contains lesson suggestions for multi-curicular subjects. It looks really awesome!
Vivaldi Matchbook to use for a lapbook or mini-book. (Scroll down.)
Vivaldi Biographies for Children:
New York Philharmonic Kid's Zone - click on "Composer's Gallery" then search under "V", "Italy", or "Baroque".
Literature Unit Studies related to Vivaldi:
Gabriella's Song - about a young lady who finds music in Venice, Italy, the city of Vivaldi's birth.
Chamber Concerto in D Major RV93 - Lute, 2 Violins, & Basso Continuo
Allegro giusto ~ Largo ~ Allegro
Concerto "per la Solennita di S. Lorenzo" - For Multiple Instruments in C major RV556
Largo e cantabile ~ Allegro
A Musical Journey to Europe with Vivaldi
Beautiful Concertos & Sonatas!
Vivaldi composed tons of beautiful music for us to still enjoy today! A few of the pieces that I would recommend for you to hear are: Concerto for Mandolin in C Major RV425; Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring from the Four Seasons; Concerto for Oboe and Violin; Bassoon Concerto in A Minor RV497; Concerto "Grosso Mogul" RV208 - Mov. 2-3/3; Concerto in B Minor RV 386 Mov. 1/3; Sonata a Quattro in E Flat Major RV130; Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla; and Sonata da Camera in B Flat Major RV78.
Some of the above pieces are listed as videos below for your enjoyment. Your ears are in for a treat!