Antonio Vivaldi was a composer.
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi ( [ anˈtɔːnjo ˈluːtʃo viˈvaldi ] ; 4 March 1678 -- 28 July 1741 ) was an Italian Baroque composer , virtuoso violinist , teacher and cleric . Born in Venice , he is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers , and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe . Many of his compositions were written for the female music ensemble of the Ospedale della Pietà , a home for abandoned children where Vivaldi ( who had been ordained as a Catholic priest ) was employed from 1703 to 1715 and from 1723 to 1740 .