Vivaldi Quick Facts:
- The letters "LD" or the expanded "LDBMDA" appear at the top of many of Vivaldi's scores, especially operatic scores. The letters possibly stand for "Laus Deo Beataeque Mariae Deiparae Amen".
- The scores of 21 operas, including his first and last, are still intact.
- Vivaldi once earned a 50,000 ducat annual income according to the Venetian commonplace book Commemoriali Gradenigo.
- Vivaldi wrote over 500 concertos. He is believed to be the inventor of the ritornello form.
Vivaldi's Family Background:
Vivaldi's father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, was born in 1655. Eleven years later, after the death of his father, he moved to Venice with his mother. He worked as a barber before becoming a professional violinist. In 1676, he married Camilla Calicchio. Vivaldi was born in two years later. He was the oldest of nine children.
Childhood - Teenage Years:
Vivaldi was taught how to play violin at a young age by his father. Together, they toured Venice playing the violin; similar to Mozart and his father. In 1693, Vivaldi entered into priesthood at the local churches of S Geminiano and S Giovanni in Oleo, while living with his parents in the parish of S Martino. In late 1706, Vivaldi withdrew from the priesthood, claiming that it was because of his asthma. Others suspect that his musical aspirations and interests lead him to withdrawal.
Early Adult Years:
In 1703, Vivaldi became maestro di violino at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, a home for orphaned, abandoned, and indigent children. The Pietà specialized in the teaching of music to girls who showed aptitude; comparable to modern day musical therapy. Many concerts were held and many nobles attended them. Vivaldi was in charge of teaching the music, the upkeep of instruments, and acquiring new ones. In 1709, he was let go for economic reasons, but in 1711, he was offered the job again.
Mid Adult Years:
Vivaldi was promoted to maestro de concertiin 1716. It was during these years that Vivaldi wrote much of his music, including many operas and concertos. In 1718, Vivaldi began to travel. Despite his frequent travels, the Pietà paid him to write two concerto's a month for the orchestra and to rehearse with the at least four times when in Venice. The Pietà's records show that he was paid for 140 concertos between 1723 and 1729.
Late Adult Years:
Vivaldi continued to lead a busy life. He traveled extensively, worked on again off again for the Pietà, and composed for many different people. Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741, while on a trip Vienna, and was given a pauper's burial.
Selected Works by Vivaldi:
- Moyses Deus Pharaonis, RV 643 - 1714
- Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernes barbarie, RV 644 - 1716
- L'adorazione delli tre re magi al bambino Gesù nella capanna di Betlemme, RV 645 - 1722
- La vittoria navale predetta dal S Pontefice Pio V Ghisilieri, RV 782 - 1713
- Ottone in villa, RV 729 - 1713
- Orlando finto pazzo, RV 727 - 1714
- La verità in cimento, RV 739 - 1720
- Siroe, re di Persia, RV 735 - 1727
- Rosilena ed Oronta, RV 720 - 1728
- La fida ninfa, RV 714 - 1732
- "La Primavera" (The Four Seasons), op. 8 no. 1, RV 269 - E Major
- "Il favorito", op. 11 no. 2, RV 277 - e minor
- "Il corneto da posta", RV 363 - B flat Major
- "L'autunno", op. 8 no. 3, RV 293 - F Major