Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, and Catholic priest. Born in Venice, the son of a barber-turned-violinist at St Mark's, he was ordained in 1703 and appointed to the Ospedale della Pietà, a Venetian foundling home, where he taught, led the ensemble, and wrote much of his instrumental music. He produced hundreds of concertos, including the set known as 'The Four Seasons,' alongside sacred works and operas staged across Italy. He served the ducal court at Mantua and travelled to advance his operatic ventures. He moved to Vienna late in life, where he died in 1741 and was buried in a paupers' grave.