Fandango from Don Juan by Gluck

Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714–1787) was a composer who sought to reform opera by emphasizing emotional depth and dramatic integrity. Born in Bavaria, he studied in Prague and Milan, composing in the Italian opera seria style before seeking to refine and improve the style. His collaboration with librettist Ranieri de’ Calzabigi produced groundbreaking works like Orfeo ed Euridice and Alceste, which simplified operatic structures and prioritized storytelling. Gluck’s influence extended to French opera during his Paris years, with masterpieces like Iphigénie en Tauride in 1779. His innovations inspired later composers, earning him a lasting legacy as one of opera’s most transformative figures.