Christoph Willibald Gluck

The Profile

Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714–1787) was a German composer of the early Classical era whose operatic reforms sought dramatic truth, clarity, and integration of music and drama. His landmark works include Orfeo ed Euridice, Alceste, and the Paris operas Iphigénie en Aulide, Armide, and Iphigénie en Tauride.

Pioneer of opera reform; collaborated with Ranieri de' Calzabigi on Orfeo ed Euridice; worked extensively in Vienna and Paris; central figure linking Italian opera seria and French tragédie lyrique; later arrangements of his operas were made by Richard Strauss.

A celebratory review hails the Gluck–Strauss Iphigenie auf Tauris at the 35th Festival della Valle d'Itria. It praises cohesive direction, clear staging, and strong performances by Liu Song-Hu, Marcello Nardis, and Olga Ktlyarova. Notes the German-language version and precise conducting by Ramon Tebar with staging by Oliver Kloeter. Concludes with ovations and curtain calls.