Composer Antonio Vivaldi: biography and creativity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The most prominent representative of the Italian violin art of the 18th century is the Catholic priest, composer, conductor, teacher and violinist Antonio Vivaldi, whose biography and work are still of interest to many professionals and amateurs. In Europe, he received recognition during his lifetime.

The work of Antonio Vivaldi is most popular thanks to instrumental, especially violin concertos. But at the same time, he is considered an unsurpassed master in other genres, such as opera, concerto grosso.

Vivaldi's childhood

For a long time, the date of the composer's birth remained a mystery to biographers, but in the middle of the last century, thanks to found church records, it was established precisely. On March 4, 1678, in Venice, the first child of Antonio Vivaldi was born in the family of the barber Giovanni Batista. His biography is still full of secrets and contradictions. Due to frailty and the threat of death, the boy was baptized by the midwife on his birthday.

The child's talent manifested itself early, already at the age of ten Antonio replaced his father during periods of his absence in the chapel of the cathedral. The first composition of the child appeared already at the age of thirteen. It was the boy's parent who became hisfirst teacher, and his service in the church influenced the choice of career.

Young years

Fifteen and a half years old, he received the lowest degree of priesthood, according to which he had the right to open the gates of the church. A few years later, Antonio earned the title of priest, as well as the right to serve Mass. At this time, he gained fame as a virtuoso violinist. But a year later, he did not want to celebrate mass due to physical ailment, although some of his contemporaries claimed that he was pretending, using this time to write his musical compositions in the sacristy. It was for this behavior that he was expelled from the church, which caused a lot of gossip.

Venetian "Conservatory"

In 1703, Antonio Vivaldi (whose brief biography as a priest was completed) was invited to one of the best Venetian conservatories. This was the beginning of the pedagogical and creative activity of the young man.

Finding himself in an environment of brilliant musical traditions, he wrote a large number of works of secular and sacred instrumental music, taught music theory, rehearsed with the orchestra, studied with choristers, conducted concerts. Due to Antonio's multifaceted and fruitful activities, his conservatory has become noticeable among others.

The beginning of the composer's path

In the early years of Antonio Vivaldi's work, whose biography and work were saturated with the composition of a large numberinstrumental pieces, appeared before the general public and the musical community as the author of trio sonatas. A little later, the publishing house published 12 more large-form works under one opus. The next one contained the same number of sonatas for violin and cembalo.

At 33, Vivaldi is already gaining fame far beyond the borders of his native city. At this time, he has a solid salary and becomes the main director of the concert of pupils. Danish nobles and even the king listen to his works.

Far beyond the borders of the country, his works begin to be performed and published. For the first time in Holland, his opus of twelve concertos for 1, 2 and 4 violins with accompaniment is released. The most performed are the best works of this opus.

The music of Antonio Vivaldi strikes contemporaries with novelty, brightness of sensations and images. His biography during this period becomes richer, and his creative activity becomes more successful.

Opera art

Already at the age of 35 he is the main composer of "Pieta". This obliges Vivaldi to regularly compose music for students. At the same time, he decides to turn to an unknown genre for himself - opera. For many years to come, it will be the most significant area of \u200b\u200bhis activity.

In order to stage his first opera in Vincenza, "Atto at the Villa", Antonio takes a month's vacation. The production was successful and attracted the attention of the impresario of Venice. Starting with the next one, a whole series of premieres follows over the course of five years,which firmly secure his fame as an opera composer.

From now on, Antonio Vivaldi, whose biography is entering a new creative stage, seeks to win recognition from the widest masses of listeners.

Despite offers from other places that were very tempting, as well as a stunning success in the opera field, after long holidays, he still remained faithful and returned to the Venetian "conservatory".

Theatrical creativity

The first two oratorios on Latin texts appear at the same time when he became passionately interested in the theater. "Judith Triumphant" has become one of the best creations of Vivaldi.

The students of that time consider it an honor to study with him, but neither they nor a large amount of composing work can distract Antonio from active work in the theater, where he performs an order for twelve main arias for the opera "Nero Made by Caesar".

The opera "The Coronation of Darius" was created for the same theater. In just five years, the composer's fame is growing rapidly and goes beyond the borders of his country far into Europe.

After the first years of an opera tour associated with Venice, composer Antonio Vivaldi decides to change the situation and enters a three-year service with Margrave Phillip von Hesse-Darmstadt, who led the troops of the Austrian emperor in Mantua.

Serving at the Margrave

This period is very significant for Vivaldi: it is he who influences his entire future life. He gets acquaintedwith the daughter of a French barber and opera singer Anna Giraud, whom Antonio introduces to everyone as his student. Her sister took care of the composer's he alth and became his constant companion.

From the side of the church there were constant complaints about such inappropriate relationships for a clergyman, because the sisters lived in the composer's house and accompanied him on tour. Subsequently, this relationship will lead to very unfavorable results for the musical creator.

At the end of his service, he returned to Venice, but travel to European capitals continues. Despite the brilliant premieres of composed operas, contemporaries consider program concerts, especially "The Four Seasons", to be the most striking works.

Last period of life

The performance of Antonio Vivaldi (you can see his photo in our article) was amazing: it did not become lower, despite his advanced age. His operas are performed on many European stages and are a resounding success. But at the age of 59, a terrible blow of fate overtakes him. The Apostolic Nuncio in Venice, on behalf of Cardinal Ruffo, forbade the composer from entering one of the Papal States (Ferrara) in the midst of preparations for the carnival.

At that time it was an unheard-of shame and entailed complete discrediting of both Vivaldi - a spiritual person, and material damage. Relations in "Pieta" began to deteriorate, and Antonio's music began to be considered outdated due to the emergence of a large number of young creators at that time. He had to leave.

B"conservatory" he is mentioned for the last time in connection with the sale at an extremely low price of a large number of his musical concerts. After that, the creator leaves his homeland forever.

He died of internal inflammation in Vienna at the age of 63, abandoned and forgotten by everyone.