The book is devoted to the history of the Italian onera of 1670-1720. Genre varieties of opera, local musical traditions of Rome, Venice and Naples, vocal and decorative arts are explored. The monograph considers little-known works of B. Pasquini, A. Scarlatti. A. Stradella, J. Bononcini, K. F. Pollarolo, F. Gasparini, G. F. Handel, A. Lotti, F. Mancini, D. Sarro. Addressed to musicians, theater experts, students of music universities and schools, opera lovers. Published for the first time.