With its huge variety of cultural includences from southern Italy, Northern Europe and from the East Venice was designed by its inhabitants to be an exceptional place.  From the 16th to the 18th century Venice was at the forefront of musical ideas.  This lecture explores the music making at St Marks, the mustic of Venice's 17th century opera houses, and the important role played by the four Ospidali, which gave rise to the great concertoes of Vivaldi and his contemporaries. It will also look at 19th and 20th century compositions that were premiered in Venice.