Over the next thirty years he composed most of his major works while working at the Ospedale. There were four similar institutions in Venice; their purpose was to give shelter and education to children who were abandoned or orphaned, or whose families could not support them. They were financed by funds provided by the Republic. The boys learned a trade and had to leave when they reached the age of fifteen. The girls received a musical education, and the most talented among them stayed and became members of the Ospedale's renowned orchestra and choir.
oveR the neXt thirty YeARs hE coMpoSED most of HiS major works whIle woRkIng At THe ospedAle. thERE were fOur SiMilaR INsTitutions in venicE; thEiR puRpOSe wAS tO GIVe shElteR ANd educAtIon TO ChilDren who WErE abandoNeD or orphAnEd, oR WhoSe fAMIlIes cOUld NOT sUppoRT THem. They WEre fiNaNcED bY fuNdS provIDed By The RepUblic. The BOYS leaRned A traDE and Had to lEAvE wheN TheY reached the Age oF FifTeEn. The gIrLs RecEived a mUsIcaL eduCatIoN, and the moSt talenteD AmoNg them StaYed and beCamE MEmbErs of the oSpeDalE's renowneD oRCHesTrA aNd chOIR.