On March 21st, 1740, a gala concert was held at the famous Ospedale della Pietа in Venice to honour the visiting Frederick Christian, Prince of Poland. The four concertos written by the sixty-one-year-old Vivaldi still survive in the manuscript which was presented to the Prince as a souvenir of the occasion. Possibly the composer's last works, their brilliant technical writing, unusual scorings and innovative instrumental sonorities surely rank them among his most delightful music.