The institutions were financed by the Republic and the boys learned a trade before they left when they turned 15. He was only 25 years when he started working in this orphanage and he spent the next 30 years working here.ĭuring this time, there were four similar institutions in Venice which gave shelter and education to abandoned and orphaned children. In September of 1703, Antonio Vivaldi became master of the violin at an orphanage named the Pio Ospedala della Pieta (Devout Hospital of Mercy) in Venice. He only said Mass as a priest very few times before withdrawing from his priestly duties. Just after his ordination in 1704, Vivaldi was given a dispensation from celebrating Mass because he was sick.

At the age of 25, in 1703, he was ordained and nicknamed In 1693, at the age of 15, he went to school to become a priest. However, this did not stop him from learning how to play the violin, composing music, or even taking part in musical activities. Antonio had five siblings.Īntonio experienced health problems when growing up. His official church baptism, however, took place two months later. Many people thought the baptism at such an early age meant that he was either born in bad health or because there was an earthquake that day. He was baptized immediately after he was born by a midwife. Early LifeĪntonio was born on July 28, 1678, in Venice, Italy. Many also know him for his series of violin concerts entitled The Four Seasons. He is mainly known for composing instrumental concerts, sacred choral works, and more than 40 operas. His music and influence was widespread all over Europe. He was nicknamed “The Red Priest” because of his red hair. Antonio Vivaldi was a popular Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist.

Vivaldi antonio