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Venice Venice was founded in CE 421 on April 25th, St.Mark's day (the patron saint of Venice) The original Basilica St. Mark's was begun in CE 834 but burned down Marco Polo traveled from Venice to China Giacomo Casanova was born in 1725 in Venice Venice Why is Venice famous? Exotic mix of natural beauty, architecture, pageant, and self-importance – Opera – Film festivals No individual could be more important than the city – Doge - chief magistrate - elected for life -Sebastiano Mocenigo (reigned 1722–1732) - Le quattro stagioni was composed in 1725 Venice The nobility made the decisions – – – – – – – – Clothing Who could leave the city No one must discredit the place No individual could become more important than the city They looted and hoarded items to “dress up” the city Smuggled in the remains of St. Mark Beggars were expelled unless licensed The shipbuilding area became one of the first “industrial” areas with 16,000 fixed wage workers in on-site housing, locked there for life VIVA VIVALDI The most remarkable violinist-composer was Antonio Vivaldi –Composed more than 450 concertos –40 operas –solo, chamber, and vocal works Timeline of Vivaldi's Life •1678 -- born March 4, Venice (day of an earthquake which may have contributed to his aesthmatic condition)•1685-1703 -- Vivaldi studies to become a priest•1703 -ordained a priest, accepted a position as maestro di violino and chaplain at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice•1705-1709 -- published works at the Pietà while teaching•1709 -- lost his position as maestro di violino because position was discontinued; continued to compose•1711-1716 -- retained his former position at the Pietà; 1715 -- given special recognition for his composition of vocal works for the Pietà•1716 -- appointed to the position of maestro de' concerti and received a pay increase•1718-1720 -- took his opera to Mantua and stayed•1723 -- asked to compose and direct two new concertos every month for the Pietà, teaching position there is a memory, he travels too much•1724 -- Anna Giraud's debut in Venice•17251729 -- works published including six flute concertos, twelve concertos, a serenata, and his opus 9 La cetra•1729-1730 -- in Germany•1731 -- back to Italy•1732-1739 -travels to Verona, Amsterdam, and Ferrara, where he was forbidden entry by the Cardinal into the city to direct his opera Cantone in Utica•1739 -- opera Feraspe last opera written by Vivaldi; his vocal and instrumental compositions purchased by the Pietà•1740 -- moves to Vienna and tries to make a living unsuccessfully by selling his concertos•1741 -- dies from an internal inflammation and is buried in a pauper's grave Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 Born Venice, March 4, 1678 Father was barber turned violinist who played in St. Mark’s orchestra Antonio also became an outstanding violinist He began religious studies age 15, ordained in 1703 – Why? He was excused from liturgical duties – failed to finish saying Mass » Why? Retired from clerical duties 1705 Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 Known as “the red priest” – Why? His first known musical activity was in 1696 as an extra violinist at St. Mark’s Ospedali (hospitals) Four ospedali were created to gather up all the abandoned or terminally ill children – A contributing factor being the 20,000 active prostitutes One of the four Ospedali, the Pieta, for orphaned girls, served the entire city. The remaining three served the shipbuilding (Arsenal) workers This Ospedale was in fact a home for the female children of noblemen and their mistresses It was well endowed by the "anonymous" fathers; its furnishings were opulent, the young ladies were well looked-after, and the musical standards among the highest in Venice The Pieta The girls in the Pieta (up to 6,000) lived in closed communities and were used for lace-making, textile manufacturing, hat production, silk laundry work and domestic work Staffed by nuns and priests, the school also employed distinguished musicians The school hoped to find husbands for the girls but many never married and stayed at the school to develop their musical skills They were provided a superior education The most talented students received training similar to conservatory studies and many became virtuoso performers Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741 In 1703 Vivaldi was appointed to the faculty of the Ospedale della Pieta and became its music director and conductor in 1716 Concerts were among the premier music events in Venice Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 Vivaldi began at the Pieta as a violin instructor – active as a composer – began to cultivate the concerto The impression he made with his music, his students, and the concerts resulted in his promotion to the post of maestro dei concerti He achieved international reputation with the publication of L’estro armonico “The Inspiration of Harmony” (a set of 12 concertos) Vivaldi’s music became very popular and was even arranged by Bach Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 His operas were very popular at the time Vivaldi enjoyed life and money, expensive clothing, luxurious accommodations, and was the source of scandalous rumors – He became friends with the singer Anna Giraud and she moved in him – Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni described Vivaldi and Giraud: » "This priest, an excellent violinist but a mediocre composer, has trained Miss Giraud to be a singer. She was young, born in Venice, but the daughter of a French wigmaker. She was not beautiful, though she was elegant, small in stature, with beautiful eyes and a fascinating mouth. She had a small voice, but many languages in which to harangue." Vivaldi stayed together with her until his death. Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 Vivaldi traveled extensively, played violin for the Pope, and produced operas at leading theaters In the 1730’s his operas began to fail In 1738 his contract with the Pieta was not renewed In 1740 he resigned and left Venice for Vienna where he planned to work under the patronage of Charles VI By his death on July 28, 1741 Anna Giraud returned to Venice, where she died in 1750 His music fell into obscurity As Vivaldi served no more purpose to the city of Venice, he was “removed” from its history Antonio Vivaldi 1678 - 1741 In the 19th century a Bach scholar discovered 17 of Bach’s compositions were actually composed by Vivaldi In 1926 - a Salesian friar from a small monastery discovered 100 volumes of musical scores from the early 18th century Sold to the Turin Nat. Library to finance repairs Most by Vivaldi It was the composer’s personal autograph collection Half of a larger collection - the remaining located in Genoa This restored Vivaldi to the world Summary Three kinds of musical institutions with which Vivaldi associated: – The Church, especially St. Mark’s – the “Pieta” – the theater The Concerto – more than 450 composed The Baroque period saw the birth of concert music Advances in instrument making - the violin makers and woodwind makers - gave rise to the orchestra – Italian violin makers » Nicolo Amati 1596 - 1684 » Antonio Stradivari 1644 - 1737 » Giuseppe Bartolomeo Guarneri 1698 - 1744 – oboe, bassoon, transverse flute The Four Seasons The concertos – – – – fast - slow - fast ritornello virtuoso passages featuring his solo instrument expressive arias for solo instrument The concerto is the perfect form for technical display Vivaldi published six major collections, four have programmatic titles “The Four Seasons” is the best-known set – pub. 1725 as part of a collection of 12 concertos known as “The Contest Between Harmony and Invention” – “program” music Vivaldi also provided a detailed written program Vivaldi: “The Four Seasons” – Concerto No. 1 in E “La primavera” – Concerto No. 2 in G minor “L’estate” – Concerto No. 3 in F “L’autunno” – Concerto No. 4 in F minor “L’inverno” La primavera (Spring) Concerto No. 1 in E “La primavera” I. Spring has come and joyfully the birds welcome it with cheerful song, and the streams at the breath of zephyrs flow swiftly with sweet murmurings. But now the sky is cloaked in black and thunder and lightning announce themselves; when they die away, the little birds turn afresh to their sweet song. Kennedy Loussier La primavera (Spring) II. Then on the pleasant flower-strewn meadow, to the gentle rustle of the leaves and branches, the goatherd rests, his faithful dog at his side Kennedy Loussier La primavera (Spring) III. To the rustic bagpipe’s gay sound, nymph and shepherd dance beneath the fair spring sky in all its glory. Kennedy Loussier The Baroque Concerto Jacques Loussier Trio – Telarc CD83417 Nigel Kennedy – EMI CDC 549557 Criticism “Vivaldi played a solo accompaniment. . . But I cannot say it pleased me, for it was not so pleasant to listen to as it was skillfully performed.” – Johann von Uffenbach, 1715 Terminology Concerto Opera Chamber music Conservatory Transcription