Christoph Willibald Gluck

Christoph Willibald Gluck was an influential 18th-century composer known for his reform of opera. Born in 1714 in Bohemia, he sought to make opera more expressive and coherent, emphasizing clarity in storytelling and emotional depth. Gluck's operas, such as "Orfeo ed Euridice," integrated music and drama more seamlessly than earlier works, breaking away from the complex ornamentation typical of Baroque opera. His approach laid the groundwork for later composers, including Mozart, and helped shape the evolution of opera, making it a more powerful medium for emotional expression. Gluck passed away in 1787, leaving a lasting legacy in classical music.