Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Research Paper

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was an ordained priest, educator, and composer who was considered one of the greatest and most influential classical musicians during his time, as well as, a rebirth of sorts during the 1950s. Vivaldi was a composer, who unlike any other has the historical significance of experiencing a resurgence of his music making him popular in two different eras (picture 8). Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, Italy to Giovanni Battista Vivaldi and Camilla Calicchio (biography 1). Giovanni, Antonio’s father, was a professional violinist who taught his son to play the instrument at a very young age. Antonio came to know some of the finest musicians and composers of Venice because of his father and learned some valuable lessons of instruction from these amazing artists. Because money was scarce in the family, Vivaldi felt pressured to become a priest. In those days, going into seminary school was ultimately the only way a poor family had to ensure free …show more content…
Not only was the constant asthma issues a problem for him for playing the violin for long periods of time, or conducting full Mass when he was ordained a priest, but his sexuality was an issue as well during this time. He began living with Anna Giraud a student of his in exchange for housekeeping duties and companionship. Vivaldi, Anna, and Anna’s sister shared the home and even though there was constant backlash, he stayed with her until his death. Because Vivaldi was a priest, it did not help with his reputation that he lived with a woman when he was supposed to be celibate. This relationship caused the Archbishop of Ferrara to cancel Vivaldi’s concert and he wrote to him and explained the relationship was platonic. They were simply roommates, instructor/student, friends, and performance partners. No one has ever proven that the relationship was more that a platonic