October 24, 1741
VeniceI was still in Vienna after that night at Antonio's apartment and I heard the news on the street that the great composer, Antonio Vivaldi, had expired the evening before. The report indicated that his lifelong ailment of hard breathing had been his undoing, and that he was found in his apartment by the maid.
“His eyes were still open,” she said, and made a little gesture of her hand as if holding back the evil that brings death to our door. “He looked like he just stopped in the middle of a thought. I hope that death claims me in such a calm manner.”
The Viennese people didn't know me well, except for the businessmen of the city, but I thought it would be appropriate behavior to remain through his interment.
I witnessed the process much as the others who had gath
