Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice and began his adult life in the church, becoming known as the 'Red Priest', presumably due to his sandy-coloured hair. Health problems prevented him continuing actively in the priesthood and he turned his attention to music.

 

He wrote 18 operas, many sacred choral works and over 300 concerti, many for use at the Ospidale della Pietà orphanage where he was director of music. Of these, the 12 violin concerti known as The Four Seasons (from the opus 8 set, The Trial of Harmony and Invention), have become the best known. The third concerto, Summer, includes a graphic description of a thunderstorm which makes an effective showpiece when played by any solo instrument. Sadly, Vivaldi died in poverty in Vienna, whilst trying vainly to secure commissions for himself, but his music has survived to become some of the best loved in the world.