Over the next 30 years, he would go on to compose almost all his most famous music while he was in that position, at a hospital that taught orphans.īoys were taught in trades-carpentry, building, and sculpting. He was a musical impresario by the age of 25.Īntonio Vivaldi was given the title of Master of Violin at the Devout Hospital of Mercy-an orphanage-in Venice when he was only 25. Vivaldi was a redhead, and he became known in his hometown as The Red Priest, a funny fact about Antonio Vivaldi.ģ. Eventually he gave up serving in the priesthood.

Despite planning to make his career as part of the clergy, his health issues made it difficult for him to deliver mass. Vivaldi took religious training from the age of 15, and became an ordained priest in the early 18 th century. He showed special talent with a violin.īecause he suffered from chronic shortness of breath-which historians now think could have been asthma or a lung disorder-he was never able to practice wind instruments. Through the older Vivaldi-Giovanni Battista-young Antonio was introduced to many fine musicians and composers in the Italian music scene. His father was a professional violinist-and barber-who passed his passion on to his son. Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy on March 4, 1678-the day of a large earthquake in the area. Here are 9 interesting facts about the 17 th and 18 th century violinist who has gone down in history for his music, his teaching, his composing, and his religious devotion.Īntonio Vivaldi: 9 Interesting Facts about the Baroque Composer 1. The Italian composer and famed violinist might be best known for his work The Four Seasons, which is instantly recognizable by so many of us even today.īut Vivaldi’s path to success and his historic impact on music is just as fascinating and multi-faceted as his music. Antonio Vivaldi is one of the most famous figures in the history of classical music.

Vivaldi red priest