Gluck, Christoph Willibald, VIHL ih bahlt (1714-1787), a German composer, reformed opera in the 1700's. Gluck eliminated the mere display of brilliant singing that previously had dominated opera. He tried to achieve a balance between the musical and the dramatic aspects of opera. Gluck enriched the orchestral component of opera and gave more emphasis to choral and ensemble singing. The enhanced orchestra provided more opportunity to develop an opera's dramatic qualities.