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Free Sheet Music of Antonio Vivaldi Program Notes and Sheet Music

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): The Red Priest, Master of the Concerto

Antonio Vivaldi, born in Venice, Italy, in 1678, was one of the most original, innovative, and prolific composers of the Baroque era. A fiery Venetian master, a virtuoso violinist, and a dedicated teacher, he revolutionized the concerto form and left behind a dazzling body of work characterized by its boundless energy, melodic invention, and vivid instrumental color. Known as "The Red Priest" due to his distinctive red hair and his ordination, Vivaldi's music burst forth with a vitality that mirrored the vibrant, theatrical spirit of his native city.

Vivaldi received his early musical training from his father, a professional violinist. He was ordained a priest in 1703, though his career in the church was short-lived, reportedly due to chronic ill health (possibly asthma, which perhaps conveniently excused him from the more strenuous duties of saying Mass). This allowed him to dedicate his life fully to music. For most of his career, he served as a violin master and later music director at the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls in Venice. It was here, with his talented all-female orchestra and choir, that he composed the vast majority of his nearly 500 concertos, providing weekly new music for their acclaimed performances.

Revolutionizing the Concerto: Life in Sound

Vivaldi's pivotal contribution was his role in shaping the Baroque concerto. He established the familiar fast-slow-fast three-movement structure and perfected the ritornello form, where orchestral passages return between contrasting solo sections. His

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    Vivaldi Antonio (1678-1741)   
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