July 2 - Christoph Willibald Gluck (The Musical Birthday Series)

Christoph Willibald Gluck (prob. 2 July [baptized 4 July] 1714 – 15 November 1787) was one of the leading opera composers of the late 18th century.

Bring in Piccinni

When Gluck set in motion reforms

To opera seria norms,

They brought in battalions 

Of angry Italians

And kindled theatrical storms.

Passing Mention

In the musical history books

There isn’t much music of Gluck’s;

You might get to know

The tune “Che farò,”

While Alceste gets a couple of looks.




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