Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist and priest born in Venice in 1678. He is best known for his concertos, especially the set of four violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Vivaldi composed over 500 concertos and numerous sacred works, operas and chamber pieces while serving as music director at the Ospedale della Pietà. His energetic, virtuosic style helped define late Baroque instrumental music and influenced later composers including Bach. He spent his final years in Vienna, where he died in 1741.