'Alceste' by Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) is the story of a wife who gives her life to save her husband, King Admète, which ultimately convinces the gods to reprieve both of them. Gluck wanted to return opera to its origins, focusing on human drama and passion and composing words and music of equal depth. As a bridge between baroque and classical, Gluck used themes of simplicity, truth...
