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Vivaldi's Life in Four Seasons with Kate Bolton-Porciatti

Vivaldi's Life in Four Seasons with Kate Bolton-Porciatti


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Today, Vivaldi’s best-known works are The Four Seasons - one of the first ever examples of programme music, which paint the turning of the year in a series of dramatic scenes and episodes - metaphors for the passing of time; beyond being a prolific composer of instrumental music and a virtuoso violinist, Vivaldi spent much of his career multi-tasking for the opera houses of La Serenissima, as well as composing sacred vocal works for its churches and convents (which had equally theatrical rituals). He claimed to have composed nearly 100 operas (we know of around 50) and he certainly breathed all the pathos and drama of the theatre into his instrumental music. 

Led by an expert on Italian music and culture, Kate Bolton-Porciatti, this lecture will explore the 'four seasons' of Vivaldi's life through his music. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the musical style and cultural milieu of one of the most innovative and influential Baroque composers. 

Kate Bolton-Porciatti is a professor of Italian cultural history and music at the Istituto Lorenzo de'Medici in Florence, where she teaches BA and MA courses in the humanities. She also lectures at the British Institute, Florence, and at the Chigiana Music Academy in Siena. Kate has published extensively as an academic and a journalist; she is a music critic for BBC Music and a travel writer for The Daily Telegraph, UK. Before moving to Italy permanently in 2005, she was a senior producer and broadcaster for BBC Arts & Classical Music in London and has won prestigious Jerusalem and Sony Awards for her programs. She did her M.Phil. thesis in Italy, exploring the musical culture of early Renaissance Florence.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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(5)
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L
Laurie (Saint Paul, US)
Excellent

Enjoyed this webinar immensely! Very comprehensive and interesting!

J
John K (Washington, US)
Getting to Know Vivaldi

Most people know or recognize Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" which has been popular for years. But Ms. Bolton-Porciatti provides detailed information about Vivaldi, his life and career that gives you a better understanding of the context for his compositions and his progress through his life as a composer.

A
Anonymous (Asheville, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Vivaldi

Kate always, brings new historical information in all her talks. I love that she has music along with the history of the musicians . I listen to vivaldi but did not know much about him until her talk!

C
Carol (Colorado Springs, US)
Such a great way to remember our trip to Venice

This was a wonderful review of Vivaldi's life using his Four Seasons. Kate was so organized and thorough and we loved the musical examples used for each time period.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
Laurie (Saint Paul, US)
Excellent

Enjoyed this webinar immensely! Very comprehensive and interesting!

J
John K (Washington, US)
Getting to Know Vivaldi

Most people know or recognize Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" which has been popular for years. But Ms. Bolton-Porciatti provides detailed information about Vivaldi, his life and career that gives you a better understanding of the context for his compositions and his progress through his life as a composer.

A
Anonymous (Asheville, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Vivaldi

Kate always, brings new historical information in all her talks. I love that she has music along with the history of the musicians . I listen to vivaldi but did not know much about him until her talk!

C
Carol (Colorado Springs, US)
Such a great way to remember our trip to Venice

This was a wonderful review of Vivaldi's life using his Four Seasons. Kate was so organized and thorough and we loved the musical examples used for each time period.