Christoph Willibald Gluck short biography

One of greatest Baroque opera composers, Christoph Willibald Gluck escaped from his home in Bohemia to study music in Prague, against his father’s wishes. Gluck’s first position was a composer and keyboard player for the court of Prince Lobkowitz in Vienna. Gluck travelled with the court to Italy where he became a student of Sammartini. Having earned a great reputation as an opera composer in Italy, Guck was commissioned to write operas for the Haymarket Theatre in London. Offended by Handel’s critical remarks, Gluck left London and moved to Paris where his opera compositions received phenomenal reputation. His greatest triumph with Iphigenie en Tauride was followed by a failure of his Echo et Narcisse. Gluck left Paris and settled in Vienna where he lived in virtual retirement. Gluck's historical importance lies in blending the best opera traditions of Italian, French, and German schools. Gluck was also regarded as a great teacher. His students include Salieri, Sacchini, Cherubini, Méhul and Spontini.