Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), the great Italian master, was raised in the church, his father a musician in the celebrated orchestra of St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Together with his amazing musical prowess on the violin, and a desire to seek a living in the church, Vivaldi was ordained as a priest at the age of 25. He then began a long tenure as music teacher for Ospedale della Pieta, one of Venice’s several girls’ orphanages which offered instruction in singing and musical instruments. An important aim was to attract public attention via the chapel services and concerts to procure funding for the orphanage. Vivaldi’s flaming red hair earned him the nickname “The Red Priest.”
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
1684: Calculus first published 1689: Peter the Great becomes Czar of Russia 1707: United Kingdom of Great Britain formed - England, Wales and Scotland 1712: Religious wars in Switzerland 1720: “South Sea Bubble” - financial scan...
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