Chiesa della Pietà

La Pietà, on the Riva degli Schiavoni, served the foundling hospital where Antonio Vivaldi taught violin and composed much of his music. Giorgio Massari rebuilt the church between 1745 and 1760; its interior includes paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo.

Why it matters

From the fifteenth century, the Ospedale della Pietà cared for abandoned children. Its choir and orchestra of orphaned girls became one of Europe's celebrated musical ensembles. Treccani records that Vivaldi, born in Venice in 1678, became violin teacher at the conservatory attached to the Pio Ospedale della Pietà in 1703, and composed most of his concertos, sacred music and cantatas for the institution. He directed it, with an interruption, until 1740. The national heritage catalogue attributes the present church to Giorgio Massari and dates its project from 1745.

What to notice

The interior forms a unified Baroque oval with restrained stucco. Giambattista Tiepolo's works include the Triumph of Faith, the Three Theological Virtues and David and the Angel, with a fresco of the Coronation of the Virgin above. The church also has a Nacchini organ, restored during the World Monuments Fund conservation campaign. Its dedication is Santa Maria della Visitazione; “Pietà” is the popular name inherited from the neighbouring hospital.

Context and history

The Ospedale della Pietà grew from a medieval charitable tradition of caring for abandoned infants. Its conservatory trained foundlings as professional musicians, and the ensemble drew audiences from across Europe. Massari's church, begun in 1745 and completed in 1760, gave the institution a new façade on the lagoon-front promenade and an interior suited to sacred music. The church is public property and serves as a parish and concert venue. World Monuments Fund conservation included roof repairs, structural cleaning, work to address water infiltration and restoration of the Nacchini organ.