I, Vivaldi
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Overview
In this dynamic picture-book biography, told as if by Vivaldi himself, the famous musician’s energetic personality and steadfast dedication to music come alive.
Despite his mother’s vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood.
Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi’s hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi’s life and musical genius.
Synopsis
In this dynamic picture-book biography, told as if by Vivaldi himself, the famous musician’s energetic personality and steadfast dedication to music come alive.
Despite his mother’s vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood.
Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi’s hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi’s life and musical genius.
Children's Literature
Shefelman tells the story of the 17th century composer in the first person, beginning with his illness from birth. If God spares his life, his mother promises that he will become a priest. Not being healthy enough to play outside with the other children, Vivaldi studies the violin with his father. He loves playing and music and wants that to be his life. How he reconciles this with his duty to the priesthood is the rest of his story. Vivaldi becomes famous not only for his violin playing but also for the music he composed and for the orchestra of orphan girls that he trained. Venice, with its canals, ornate buildings, and the splendidly detailed church of San Marco with its busy plaza, is the romantic setting for the events. Interiors are given equal attention. The scene on the jacket/cover of Vivaldi playing his violin on a bridge over a canal with a gondola approaching sets the emotional tone. Music fills the endpapers, while a note separates fact from fiction. A glossary and added notes about Vivaldi's The Complete Four Seasons to encourage young music lovers are also included. Reviewer: Ken and Sylvia Marantz
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Shefelman tells the story of the 17th century composer in the first person, beginning with his illness from birth. If God spares his life, his mother promises that he will become a priest. Not being healthy enough to play outside with the other children, Vivaldi studies the violin with his father. He loves playing and music and wants that to be his life. How he reconciles this with his duty to the priesthood is the rest of his story. Vivaldi becomes famous not only for his violin playing but also for the music he composed and for the orchestra of orphan girls that he trained. Venice, with its canals, ornate buildings, and the splendidly detailed church of San Marco with its busy plaza, is the romantic setting for the events. Interiors are given equal attention. The scene on the jacket/cover of Vivaldi playing his violin on a bridge over a canal with a gondola approaching sets the emotional tone. Music fills the endpapers, while a note separates fact from fiction. A glossary and added notes about Vivaldi's The Complete Four Seasons to encourage young music lovers are also included. Reviewer: Ken and Sylvia MarantzSchool Library Journal
Gr 2-5- This fictionalized picture-book account of the composer's life is narrated by the young Vivaldi, beginning with his birth in Venice in 1678 during an earthquake. When his mother saw her newborn struggling for breath, she promised him to the priesthood, if only his life were spared. His father, a violinist, taught the child to play, acknowledging his love of music. At age 15, it was time to begin studying for the priesthood. Though he begged to pursue a career in music, his mother stood firm, and he eventually became known as the "Red Priest" because of his hair color. When he rushed from Mass to write down some musical notes, the Cardinal relieved him of his duties. He was ordered to teach violin to a group of orphan girls, who held concerts in the chapel. Vivaldi wrote The Four Seasons for them. The realistic pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations portray Venice's canals, the crowded piazza, San Marco, and interior scenes of the boy at home with his family. One dramatic spread of the countryside features Zephyr, Notus, Boreas, and Eurus-the four seasons, each blowing from a corner. An afterword, "Fact & Fiction," identifies the historical facts of the subject's life, including his decline in popularity and death, "poor and forgotten." The narration is straightforward and sometimes humorous.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
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