Ospedale della PietÃ
The Ospedale della Pietà was an orphanage and one of the four major music schools in Venice. Today it is a social institution of the child and youth services in Venice.
History
The Ospedale della Pietà was founded in 1346 and initially served as an orphanage and hospice for unwed mothers with infants.
One of the prominent composers and music teachers at this school was Johann Rose Mueller, who had to leave in 1655 because of his rumored moral offense Leipzig and give up his eligibility for the Thomaskantorat. He worked ( with only a one-year break) 1658-1682 at the Ospedale della Pietà, before he returned to Duke Anton Ulrich of Brunswick- Lüneburg in Germany. Most of his musical settings based on Latin texts are believed to have originated here and in this function.
Antonio Vivaldi began in 1703 as a conductor, violinist and composer in residence at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice to teach. He remained ( with a break from February 1709 to September 1711 ) to 1716 at the school, where he not only taught, but also concerts and oratorios composed for the weekly performances. The orchestra of the Ospedale soon acquired a legendary reputation and attracted numerous travelers in Italy.
In 1742 Nicola Porpora was choir director of the orphanage.
Significant teacher at the Ospedale della Pietà
- Antonio Gualtieri, to 1649
- Carlo Fedeli; 1662-1672 maestro di strumenti
- Johann Müller Rose; 1678-1682 resident composer of the Ospedale
- Francesco Gasparini; 1701-1713 maestro di coro
- Antonio Vivaldi; 1703-1738 (with interruptions ) maestro di concerto
- Antonio Vandini; 1720-1721 Maestro di violoncello
- Carlo Luigi Pietragrua1719 - 1726 maestro di coro
- Giovanni Porta; 1726-1737 Maestro di coro
- Nicola Porpora; 1742-1744 Maestro di coro
The Pietà today
Under the umbrella of the Pietà today there are several social institutions, such as a women's shelter and facilities for the care of infants and young children, needy underage pregnant women and mothers with small children. Also available are a baby hatch ( culla segreta ) and areas where estranged parents can meet in a protected space after a divorce their children. At Casa famiglia SICAR in Mira abandoned or neglected children and young people can be absorbed from problematic social situations where they are cared for in family-like groups.
Building of the old Ospedale located in Calle della Pietà in the Castello district in the immediate vicinity of the church of Santa Maria della Pietà. In the tradition of Venetian pilgrims' hostels, the Pietà offers a limited extent in restored rooms in the old orphanage budget accommodation for pilgrims and students.