Christoph Willibald Gluck (jan 1, 1714 – jan 1, 1787)

Description:

Nationality: German

Gluck characteristically used and combined French, Italian, and German operatic styles. Having studied in Italy, he visited London, toured in Germany as conductor of an opera troupe, became court composer to Emperor Charles VI at Vienna, and triumphed in Paris under the patronage of Marie Antoinette. He was a social European butterfly.

Musical Philosophy
Gluck aimed to “confine music to its true function of serving the poetry by expressing feelings and the situations of the story.” He prided himself on the simplicity of his melodies, sparseness of embellishment, and economy of melodic and textual repetition.

Opera Changes
Gluck wanted to make the overture an integral part of the opera, adapt the orchestra to the dramatic requirements of being an integral part of an opera, and lessen the contrast between the aria and recitative. He also wanted his singers (even the chorus) to think of themselves as actors and to move realistically in order to bring the drama to life. Taking this truly to heart the first Ofreo (Getano Guadiagni) was so invested in his character that he didn’t break to acknowledge applause.

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