2010 May The lure of Italy

The first version of this work, RV610, was composed between 1713 and 1715 for the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, to which Vivaldi was attached intermittently for most of his professional life.

This is one of three Vesper Psalms, composed in Rome early in 1707. It was first performed at services for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 15–16 July of that year.

Perhaps Handel's most famous tune, this is from his opera/farce Serse.

This work was composed, most likely, in the later 1720s when Vivaldi had a second period composing sacred music.