Gloria (Vivaldi)

The Gloria in D major, RV 589, is a setting of the Gloria in excelsis Deo hymn by Antonio Vivaldi. Scored for soprano, alto, and tenor soloists, two oboes, two trumpets, strings, and continuo, it is Vivaldi's most famous setting of the Gloria and one of the most popular sacred choral works of the Baroque era.

It is part of a group of sacred works Vivaldi composed while working as maestro di coro (master of chorus) at the Ospedale della Pietà, a Venetian orphanage for girls. The Pietà had a renowned orchestra and choir, and Vivaldi composed numerous works for them to perform.

RV 589 is divided into twelve movements, each with its own distinct character and instrumentation. Notable movements include the opening "Gloria in excelsis Deo," the tender "Laudamus te," sung by two sopranos, the energetic "Domine Deus, Rex celestis," and the moving "Qui tollis peccata mundi," featuring an alto solo. The concluding "Quoniam tu solus Sanctus" leads to a triumphant fugal "Cum Sancto Spiritu."

The Gloria's joyful and expressive nature has made it a staple of choral repertoire, frequently performed by amateur and professional choirs alike. While Vivaldi wrote other settings of the Gloria, RV 589 is by far the most well-known and widely performed.