Vivaldi in Venice
Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice and taught music for decades at the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage whose girls' orchestra was famous across Europe. In the evenings, his Four Seasons are played in the churches of the city, among them the Pietà itself.
- What it is
- Show
- Time to allow
- 1.3 to 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Concert ticket
- Best time
- In the evening
Venice this week
Why a Vivaldi concert is worth it
Vivaldi, the Red Priest, was taken on as violin master at the Pietà in 1703 and wrote much of his music for its girls, who played behind grilles in its church. The church on the Riva degli Schiavoni was rebuilt to Giorgio Massari's design after his time, with a ceiling by Tiepolo.
Several ensembles in period dress or in black play his concertos in the city's churches and scuole through the year, in programmes of about an hour and a quarter.
What to see
The Four Seasons
Vivaldi's four violin concertos of 1725, played in the city where he wrote them.
The Pietà
The church of the orphanage where Vivaldi taught, with Tiepolo's Coronation of the Virgin on its ceiling.
The churches
Concerts also run in San Vidal, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and other churches and halls.
How to do it well
- Choose the ensemble and the church: the music is better in some than others, and the reviews say which.
- Seats are often unnumbered: arrive early for a good one.
- A concert fits well after dinner; most begin at about eight or nine in the evening.
Where it is
Address
The church of the Pietà, Riva degli Schiavoni, and other churches
Nearest station
San Zaccaria, on the vaporetto, a minute away
Museums and sights nearby
- Doge's Palace350 m
- St Mark's Basilica400 m
- St Mark's Campanile450 m
- San Giorgio Maggiore600 m
Distances are in a straight line.
Tickets and tours: A Vivaldi concert
A Vivaldi concert: common questions
- Where did Vivaldi work in Venice?
- At the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls on the Riva degli Schiavoni, from 1703.
- How long is a Vivaldi concert in Venice?
- Usually about an hour and a quarter.
- How much time do you need for a Vivaldi concert?
- Allow 1.3 to 1.5 hours. That is this site's estimate for an unhurried visit.
What visitors say about a Vivaldi concert
Rating from Google
Things to do near a Vivaldi concert
The nearest of this site's best things to do in the city. Distances are in a straight line.
- 1Walk through the Doge's Palace and over the Bridge of Sighs350 m awayMuseum, 2 to 3 hours, ticket
- 2Stand under the golden domes of St Mark's Basilica400 m awayChurch, 45 to 90 minutes, ticket with a time, sold by the basilica
- 4Ride up St Mark's Campanile for the view over the lagoon450 m awayMonument, 30 to 45 minutes, ticket with a time
- 13Cross to Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore600 m awayChurch, 1 to 2 hours, the church is free; the cini foundation by tour
Artists to see near a Vivaldi concert
The museums nearest to here, and the most famous artists on show in each.
Doge's Palace, 350 m away
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, 1.1 km away
Where to eat near a Vivaldi concert
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Venice. Distances are in a straight line.
- Al Covo4.5Restaurant, Castello200 m away
- Ristorante Do Forni3.9Restaurant, San Marco450 m away
- Gran Caffè Lavena2.6Café, St Mark's Square500 m away
- Caffè Florian3.8Café, St Mark's Square550 m away
Hotels near a Vivaldi concert
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Venice. Distances are in a straight line.
- Hotel Londra Palace4.7Five-star hotel, Riva degli Schiavoni100 m away
- Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel4.5Five-star hotel, Riva degli Schiavoni200 m away
- The St. Regis Venice4.6Five-star hotel, Grand Canal750 m away
- Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel4.7Five-star hotel, Giudecca900 m away