Discover the Inspiration: PBO’s 41st Season Celebrates 300 Years of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
As we embark on our 41st season, we’re not just looking forward to another year of enchanting performances—we’re celebrating a milestone in the history of early music: The 300th anniversary of Antonio Vivaldi’s timeless masterpiece, The Four Seasons.+
While many of our patrons are familiar with this beautiful series of violin concertos, not everyone knows the fascinating stories and trivia surrounding Vivaldi’s life and career. His journey is as captivating as his music, from his dramatic entrance into the world to his posthumous rediscovery.
The Man Behind the Music: Antonio Vivaldi
Born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, a dramatic earthquake marked Vivaldi’s arrival, perhaps a fitting prelude for a life destined to shake the musical world. Young Antonio was taught to play the violin by his father, a professional violinist who was also a barber. The father-son duo toured Venice, mesmerizing audiences with their performances.
At the age of 15, Vivaldi began his studies to become a priest. His fiery red hair earned him the nickname “Il Prete Rosso” (The Red Priest.) However, his clerical duties were often interrupted due to a form of asthma, which limited his ability to administer Mass but allowed him more time to compose music.
For nearly three decades, Vivaldi served as master violinist at the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage in Venice. Here, he composed many of his major works, teaching music to the female orphans who performed in the choir and orchestra. Their concerts were renowned throughout the region, showcasing the brilliance of Vivaldi’s compositions.
Fun Facts and Trivia About Vivaldi
Prolific Output: Vivaldi composed approximately 500 concertos, 90 sonatas, 46 operas, and a vast array of sacred choral works and chamber music. His productivity was nothing short of extraordinary.
Bach’s Admiration: Johann Sebastian Bach was a great admirer of Vivaldi’s work. He transcribed several of Vivaldi’s concertos for keyboard, strings, organ, and harpsichord, spreading Vivaldi’s influence further.
Noble Patronage: Vivaldi was commissioned by European nobility and royalty, composing pieces for events such as the marriage of Louis XV and the birth of French royal princesses. He was even knighted by Emperor Charles VI of Vienna.
Fall from Fame: After moving to Vienna at the invitation of Charles VI, Vivaldi fell on hard times following the Emperor’s death. Struggling to keep up with changing musical tastes, he sold his compositions to survive and died in poverty, receiving a simple burial without music.
Rediscovery: Vivaldi’s complete catalog was not fully appreciated until 1926 when a large collection of his manuscripts was discovered in a boarding school in Piedmont. This discovery, spearheaded by music historian Dr. Alberto Gentili, reignited interest in Vivaldi’s work.
The Story Behind The Four Seasons
In 1725, Vivaldi published a collection of 12 concertos titled “Il Cimento dell’Armonia e dell’Inventione” (The Contest between Harmony and Invention). The first four, known as “Le Quattro Stagioni” (The Four Seasons), are among the earliest examples of program music, where the music tells a story or paints a scene. Each concerto is accompanied by a sonnet, possibly written by Vivaldi himself, depicting the respective season.
“Autumn”: Peasants celebrate the harvest with song, dance, and drink, leading to revelers falling asleep. Gentle breezes accompany drunkards’ slumber, and the hunt brings the sounds of horns, guns, dogs, and shouting hunters.
“Winter”: Icy winds cause us to shiver and stamp our feet, and our teeth chatter. We find warmth by the fire as the rain patters outside. Walking on treacherous ice, we slip and fall, while the ice cracks and winds battle.
“Spring”: Birds sing and brooks flow, but thunder and lightning occasionally interrupt the serenity. A goatherd sleeps with his faithful dog by his side, and nymphs and shepherds dance to rustic bagpipes.
“Summer”: The scorching sun beats down, and the songs of cuckoos, doves, and goldfinches fill the air. Thunderstorms threaten, and a shepherd’s sleep is disturbed by distant thunder and buzzing insects.
Join Us for an Enchanting Season
As we celebrate the tricentennial of The Four Seasons, we invite you to join us for a season filled with the magic of Vivaldi’s music and the spirit of Baroque innovation.
We are thrilled to bring these timeless compositions to life, honoring the legacy of a composer whose genius continues to inspire. Here’s to a season of breathtaking performances!