Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714–1787) was a German composer of the Classical era, renowned for his significant contributions to opera reform. Born on July 2, 1714, in Erasbach, Upper Palatinate, in the Holy Roman Empire, Gluck displayed musical talent at an early age. His early education in music began under the guidance of his uncle, who recognized and nurtured his nephew's budding abilities.
In his youth, Gluck studied composition and violin at the Jesuit seminary in nearby Bohemia. His education continued in Milan, where he deepened his knowledge of opera. His early operas, composed in the Italian style, gained attention for their melodic beauty and dramatic expression.