The work of Cavalli represents an important stage in the evolution of seventeenth-century serious opera. If, on the one hand, he can be considered as following in the footsteps of Claudio Monterverdi, on the other, his continuous experimentation and codification of expressive media make him a crucial reference point for composers to come. The melodic gusto of Cavalli’s operas added to the realism full of intense dramatic power and dotted with brilliant melodic intuitions is what makes his work truly stand out in the musical art of those times. In sacred music, Cavalli’s highly-distinguished production deserves great attention as part of the glowing and grandiose output of the Venetian tradition (Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Grandi, etc.) however, towards the end of his life, his work is that of an innovator insofar as he renounces the concerted style with obbligato instruments