

Today, Vivaldi ranks among the most popular and widely recorded Baroque composers. Though Vivaldi's music was well received during his lifetime, it later declined in popularity until its vigorous revival in the first half of the 20th century. The Emperor died soon after Vivaldi's arrival, and the composer died a pauper, without a steady source of income. After meeting the Emperor Charles VI, Vivaldi moved to Vienna hoping for preferment. Vivaldi also had some success with stagings of his operas in Venice, Mantua and Vienna. Many of his compositions were written for the female music ensemble of the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for poor and illegitimate children where Vivaldi worked between 17. His best known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over 40 operas. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (Ma– July 28, 1741), nicknamed il Prete Rosso ("The Red Priest") was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice.
