Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist, and impresario of Baroque music. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi's influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe, giving origin to many imitators and admirers. He pioneered many developments in orchestration, violin technique and programmatic music. He consolidated the emerging concerto form, especially the solo concerto, into a widely accepted and followed idiom. March 4, 1678 – July 28, 1741; died at 63. Alive at the same time as Isaac Newton, Voltaire, Immanuel Kant, Benjamin Franklin, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Wiki link