Final answer:
Antonio Vivaldi was more famous as a performer, specifically as a violin virtuoso, during his lifetime, similar to how musicians like Paganini and Liszt were regarded in the Romantic era. His compositions gained more recognition posthumously, whereas his contemporary popularity was due to his performances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antonio Vivaldi, though celebrated today primarily as a composer, was indeed more renowned as a violin virtuoso during his time. His expertise with the violin and performances charmed audiences, akin to how accomplished performers like Paganini and Liszt mesmerized their contemporaries. Vivaldi, much like these later musicians, enjoyed a celebrity status during the Baroque era. His compositions, while now considered masterpieces, were also popular, albeit among a small, upper-class audience. Vivaldi's contribution to music, especially with his concertos, showcases his dual talent as both a composer and a performer.
It's also interesting to note that the romantic era, although after Vivaldi's time, gave rise to composers who were also admired for their performance skills. The increasing demand for music was not only fueled by the advent of printing technology that distributed music widely, but also by the rise of the middle class, who attended public performances and demanded new types of musical entertainment.