Named of the German composer Ritter Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714–1787). After studying in Prague and Milan he traveled to London to meet Handel {see planet  (3826)}. He also worked with the traveling opera companies of Mingotti and Locatelli. In 1752 Gluck became conductor in Sachsen-Hildburghausen and in Vienna. He composed 17 symphonies and 107 operas, including the three Italian reform operas Orfeo ed Euridice, Alceste and Paride ed Elena. (M 30802) _ _.