Antonio Vivaldi
1678-1741
Poor Vivaldi, condemned forever to be remembered for the 4 Seasons. A piece so popular it has been turned into lift music and a call hold hell.
Which is a shame not just because it is a stunning piece of music full of colour and fire, and exotic exhibitions of virtuosity, especially for the violin.
Of course Vivaldi is so much more than the Four Seasons. But as a man who composed opera? This is perhaps not the area (or should I say aria - sorry!) for which he is best known.
Listen to the incomparable Cecilia Bartoli explore the vocal fireworks in this piece from the opera Griselda and you’ll see what I mean.
In an attempt to seal my position as the groups resident philistine, it sounds very much like she's just stepped into a cold shower.
Another side to Vivaldi - full of verve and voom - but it does strike me as being very difficult to sing.