MUSICAL SUGGESTIONS

31 - Tartini and Vandini at Salute

On several occasions, Tartini played with the Bolognese cellist and composer Antonio Vandini (1690c - 1778), a lifelong friend, who was also a teacher in the Ospedale della Pietà in 1720 and the following year entered the Chapel of the Basilica del Santo in Padua.

Even after his employment at the Santo, the two continued to carry out their musical expeditions as a couple. In a letter of 1747, the Somasque Father Jacopo Stellini wrote to a father of the Basilica della Salute in Venice that for an important function 'Tartini does not seem willing, or at least he does not show himself determined to come to the function; but [...] coming, his price is already established, and is four zecchini per concert, when he comes out of Padua. Antonio, because he has more need for the family he must support, is content with the half; but when both are called, he would be unpleased to be less'.

A few months later Stellini added that Tartini accepted the invitation and "in addition to the concerts, he will accompany a few solo verses, which, given the Master’s composing way, will be delightful and extremely pleasing".