Claim: Antonio Vivaldi was birthed in Venice.

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi -LRB- -LSB- anˈtɔːnjo ˈluːtʃo viˈvaldi -RSB- ; 4 March 1678 -- 28 July 1741 -RRB- was an Italian Baroque composer , virtuoso violinist , teacher and cleric . Born in Venice , he is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers , and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe . He composed many instrumental concertos , for the violin and a variety of other instruments , as well as sacred choral works and more than forty operas . His best-known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons .   Many of his compositions were written for the female music ensemble of the Ospedale della Pietà , a home for abandoned children where Vivaldi -LRB- who had been ordained as a Catholic priest -RRB- was employed from 1703 to 1715 and from 1723 to 1740 . Vivaldi also had some success with expensive stagings of his operas in Venice , Mantua and Vienna . After meeting the Emperor Charles VI , Vivaldi moved to Vienna , hoping for preferment . However , the Emperor died soon after Vivaldi 's arrival , and Vivaldi himself died less than a year later in poverty .