Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi is one of the leading and renowned violinists who contributed immensely in the development of the music industry into its current state in the society. He was born on 4 March, 1678 of his parents Gianbattista and Camilla Calicchio in Venice. His father was a cathedral musician who inspired him to develop interest in the development of his music career. His spiritual life began immediately he was born where he was baptized at the age of two at church of San Giovanni in Bragora. Due to the good moral and spiritual upbringing, Antonio Vivaldi began exploring other avenues of fostering his music career. He was born from a family of five siblings’ three sisters and two brothers who accorded him them much needed support.

His father’s work as a cathedral musician gave Antonio Vivaldi the much required insight to learn clerical works where he continued to combine both clergy works and music career. This was not usual in Italy since Italy was recognized as sacred ground that could only allow clerical and holy works to be undertaken. His depute stated on September 18, 1693 at the age of fifteen and a half years when his works was recognized by receiving tonsure from the Venetian patriarch. This was a big boost towards the development of his career into a progressive field in the violinist professional. The success story of playing violin brought about much recognition when his name appeared on the visitors guider in Venice together with his father in 1713. This was a progressive step made by Antonio Vivaldi in the development of his music from just Rome but to other parts of Venice. In 1704, Antonio Vivaldi received financial boost when he received 30 ducats for his exemplary works and later awarded with Ospedale Della Pieta. He was later ordained as a priest few months later culminating in the success journey he started at a tender age.

Due to his new role, Antonio Vivaldi became a professional violin teacher who received much recognition across the continent. He later moved on to perform in occasions like Maestro del Coro where he was inspired by the works of the music director Francesco Gasparini that called him to perform. The music preoccupied his mind especially when he joined the courses of the teaching staff until he avoided attending masses. This was manifested due to the numerous tasks he had to accomplish on time. Antonio Vivaldi kept up his duty as a violin teacher and during his first year at the college he was recognized by the institution due to his hard work and was awarded a pay rise. This went on until he succeeded in getting employment in the institution after a post felt vacant in the administration. During his stay at the college, he developed much prominence back in his home town of Venice which was experiencing increased tourism attraction. Through this, prominent personalities visited the country where Antonio Vivaldi had the pleasure to perform for Frederick IV of Denmark in 1709 when he visited Venice.

Due to the persistent sickness of Francesco Gasparini, he took a leave for a long period and never returned to lead the position of a composer. Antonio Vivaldi finally took up the position that he diligently held while composing music before diverting his attention to theatrical works. Since 1976, Antonio Vivaldi has produced many opera composers that hit the global limelight reaching a total of 48 operas. As such, they attracted many opera lovers who thronged the shows to participate in different concerts he organized. During his stay in Mantua, he met with a singer Anna Giraud who added a lot of performance in the works of Antonio Vivaldi that later led to increased demand of his works in other parts of the continent. After numerous performances in Mantua in 1723, he sought to return to Venice where he was interested in making it his permanent residence. As such, he had to sign an agreement with the master where he would perform two concerts every month while in Venice and when away he was to send messengers to represent him. This culminated in Antonio Vivaldi producing over 400 concertos for this particular work and institution. The following years, he intensified his performance in other parts of Rome in Italy in which he performed operas that were heard and recognized by Quantz. This continued increasing his fame in the music industry and the famous quotes he continued to produce during the course of his work. Emperor Charles VI who was a lover of music and contrapuntal textbook recognized the works of Antonio Vivaldi operatic performances during his journey through Italy. This was another parting shot that increased the fame and recognition of Antonio Vivaldi in the world by interacting with the high and mighty in the society.

Antonio Vivaldi has also been reported to have traversed Bayern Munich in Germany since Bavarian Elector Charles Albert attended some of his concerts. He also traversed Italy where he loved Italian music and subsequently attended opera concerts and Ospedale Della Pieta. He continued his performance until 1937 when he was called by Cardinal Ruffo who banned him from continuing with the preparation to appear for a show at Ferrara. This affected him negatively since he had invested a lot of resources in the preparation of the concert and many contracts he had signed with the different companies and individuals. This did not deter him from continuing to perform his music and theatrical works, he later moved to Amsterdam where he continued directing theatrical performance. Here he wrote many theatrical books that were used by many performers to direct different music and theatrical events. He continued to flourish in the industry until 1741 when he died and the evidence of his work has been evident on manuscripts written saying the ablate D. Antonio Vivaldi.