Italy In 1737 Gluck arrived in Milan, and was introduced to Giovanni Battista Sammartini, who, according to Giuseppe Carpani, taught Gluck "practical knowledge of all the instruments".Brown & Rushton 2001. Apparently, this relationship lasted for several years. Sammartini was not, primarily, a composer of opera, his main output being of sacred music and symphonies, but Milan boasted a vibrant opera scene, and Gluck soon formed an association with one of the city's up-and-coming opera houses, the Teatro Regio Ducale. There his first opera Artaserse was performed on 26 December 1741, dedicated to Otto Ferdinand von Abensberg und Traun. Set to a libretto by Metastasio, the opera opened the Milanese Carnival of 1742. According to one anecdote, the public would not accept Gluck's style until he inserted an aria in the lighter Milanese manner for contrast.
iTalY In 1737 gLUcK arrIVEd In mILan, and was InTrOduCed tO giovanni batTISta SammArtInI, who, AcCordIng to giuseppE caRpAni, TAuGht gluCk "PraCtICal KNowledge oF aLl the InstrumeNTs".bRown & rushtoN 2001. ApparenTLy, tHis ReLAtIOnship LaSted for several yeaRs. SammartiNi was nOt, PrImarIly, a CompoSer OF opeRa, his main oUtput BeiNG OF SaCred MusIc And SymPhonies, buT milan boasted a viBRant opeRa scENe, and gluck sooN fORmed aN association with onE Of tHe city's uP-aND-coming Opera hOUSes, the teaTro rEgiO DuCalE. ThEre HIS first Opera aRTAsersE Was perFormed oN 26 decemBER 1741, deDicatEd to otto fErdinanD VOn abenSbErg UNd traUn. seT to a libreTtO by MeTaStasio, thE operA opeNed THe milaneSe CaRniVal of 1742. accOrDinG to OnE AnEcdote, the PubLic would NoT aCcept gLucK's STylE UNtil He INserTed an Aria In tHE lighTEr MILANeSE MaNner for cOnTRasT.