German composer Christoph Willibald Gluck was a prolific composer of the classical period. His works for stage span the late-baroque period, and well into the classical period, overlapping with many of Mozart's works. His work characterises a desire to move away from the virtuosic embellishments of the baroque period, such as might be characteristic in Handel's opera, and into a more formulaic and simple compositional form that favored the drama over showing off the singer's prowess. Gluck wrote successful works in both Italian and French, although he favored French librettos as his career evolved.
Some of his most famous works include Orfeo ed Euridice, Alceste, Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride.
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