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I,
Vivaldi
The year was 1678 when Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy. What do you think his mother and father did when they realized he could not breathe and might die? Take him to the emergency room? No, there were no emergency rooms. Give him CPR? No, no one knew about CPR in 1678. Pray? Yes, and his mother made a vow to God that Antonio would become a priest if God would let her baby boy live. Well, Antonio lived, but he couldn't run and play like the other kids, so his father taught him to play the violin. Antonio LOVED the violin and, when he was older, HE made a vow to God that he would play the violin. But what about his mother's promise to God? Would he break her promise? Would he have to break his vow? I, Vivaldi is told from the point of view of the composer, himself. He tells of being a sickly child with a gift for music. He writes of his becoming a dedicated man who worked to develop his gift and composed uniquely beautiful music that is celebrated today! But, did he break his mother's vow? Listen! Can you can hear his most famous piece of music playing in the background? Do you know the name of it? It is Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons." Now you can read his story as you listen! To
prepare for writing this book, the Shefelmans did action research! The
author took violin lessons. They visited Vivaldi's childhood home in
Venice where Tom played kickball with neighborhood kids. They rode in
gondolas, walked in the city, sat in Venice cafes in the Piazza San
Marco, and stood in awe of the great church. Together they attended
concerts in the chapel where Vivaldi taught orphan girls to play the
violin. Illustrator Tom Shefelman brings the story alive with beautiful
ink line and watercolor paintings inspired by 18th century Italian painters.
"While working, I listened to Vivaldi's music and heard water lapping
against the walls, the rhythm of gondoliers rowing, and caged birds
singing. I felt as if I were in Venice with Vivaldi." Research
Links The
Shefelmans' Website Available from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Classical Music Connections Bach,
Prelude in C Literary
Connection
A 16-page unit for I, Vivaldi is a part of a collection of 23 units in Gifts and Givers
The Unit Contains:
Background
Music: The Four Seasons by Vivaldi |
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Your purchases through the Kids Wings Bookstore and Amazon Links help to keep our website doors open! Disclaimer: Texas Bluebonnet AwardSM is a service mark of the Texas Library Association, which is in no way affiliated with Kids' Wings or Suzy Red. Use of the Texas Bluebonnet Award mark in these materials does not imply any endorsement of any kind on behalf of the Texas Library Association. The Texas Bluebonnet Book Master ListSM was selected by the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee of the Texas Library Association. Disclaimer:
The links here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness;
however, contents of links on the World Wide Web change continuously.
It is advisable that teachers and parents review all links before
allowing student use. Please contact us immediately if you find any
inappropriate links. |