Gluck, Christoph Willibald (4 July 1714, Upper Palatinate; 15 November 1787, Vienna), composer, began to show an interest in music by studying the harpsichord and organ at the Jesuit seminary in Komotau and by giving lessons on the viola da gamba in Bohemia. In 1736 he journeyed to Vienna and became acquainted with the larger European musical scene. He went to Italy next to continue his course of study and to write his first opera, Artaxerce, for production in Milan in 1741. His Demetrio was…