Vivaldi and Mozart at the Musikverein

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (*March 4, 1678, Venice; †July 28, 1741, Vienna) was an Italian composer and violinist and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the Baroque era. During his career as a priest, he began composing his first pieces and gained great fame and a variety of musical commissions throughout northern Italy in the following years. The church authorities disapproved of Vivaldi’s interests outside of his intended role as a priest, leading to his eventual expulsion from the city. The artist’s reputation declined rapidly afterward, and the hoped-for success following his move to the city of Vienna eluded him, where he eventually died in poverty.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (*January 27, 1756, Salzburg; †December 5, 1791, Vienna) is considered one of the most famous and influential musicians and composers of the Viennese Classical period. His exceptional talent was apparent at an early age: at four years old, he played the piano and violin, and at five, he composed his first pieces. As a “wunderkind,” he soon embarked on his first concert tour through Europe to perform at the courts of nobility and established himself in the following years as a serious composer. After his success as court concertmaster of the Salzburg Court Chapel, he settled in Vienna, where he worked as a freelance artist until his death.