The prevailing musical style was “programme music”, or music that was an accurate depiction of a scene, rather than music for the sake of music. Most of his ninety sonatas, dozens of choral works, and over five hundred concertos (twenty-seven for cello) were written during his tenure at the Pietà.Īrt of the Baroque era was championed by the Catholic church, and used deep colors, contrast, and awe to set itself apart from the simplicity of Protestant art. This appointment placed Vivaldi at a cultural center of the western world, and brought foreign audiences to many concerts of his works.
He took various positions within the Pietà over the next 35 years. Shortly after his ordainment in 1703, he was appointed to the Ospedale della Pietà, one of four famous Venetian foundations for the education of orphaned and illegitimate girls, a select few of whom were trained as expert musicians. Known today as a renown virtuoso, Vivaldi left his musical training for priesthood, but is told to have attempted to say the Mass only once and his poor health prevented him from ever completing a service. Antonio Vivaldi was a staple composer of the European Art Music era.