Why were Antonio Vivaldi’s operas less familiar to many 20th-century audiences?

The primary reason Antonio Vivaldi’s operas were less familiar to 20th-century audiences is that the Baroque poetry and dramaturgy upon which they are based often appear stilted and artificial to modern listeners. This general unfamiliarity with the conventions of the era inhibited the appreciation of his secular vocal works among nonspecialists.1

Additionally, the historical context of these works contributed to their obscurity. During the 18th century, most operas were commissioned for a single season and then replaced by new works, leading to the loss of many scores. While Vivaldi composed nearly 50 operas, only 16 survive in complete form. It was not until the late 20th century that significant efforts were made to recover and revive many of these Baroque operatic works.12