Venice and the Pietà

In 1703, Antonio Vivaldi was ordained a priest.  Soon after he became the music director for a girls orphanage called the Ospedale della Pietà.  His duties at the Pietà included teaching the girls music and directing their concerts as well as composing and performing music of his own. 

Vivaldi was considered a virtuoso violinist by many people.  He was employed at the Pietà for approximately 30 years.  During his years there he had many opportunities to promote his music by traveling around the world.  He traveled around Italy writing operas and instrumental works for the carnival seasons.  He also traveled to Vienna, Munich and Prague where his operas were also being performed. 

During this time he also wrote numerous cantatas and concertos and sacred choral compositions such as the famous Gloria in D Major, written in 1708.