Portrait of Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was a 17th and 18th century Italian priest who composed in the Baroque style. He was an excellent violinist and was appointed violin master at the Ospedale della Pieta, a home for orphans that had a renowned orchestra and choir. Among other achievements, Vivaldi developed the fast-slow-fast rhythm of the three-movement concerto. His most famous piece is "The Four Seasons," which reflects the sounds of nature and strongly influenced subsequent composers in Europe. Vivaldi was a prolific composer, leaving behind more than 400 works.
Because of his bright red hair, Vivaldi was referred to as "The Red Priest."