The lecture by cultural scholar Natalia Levkova transports listeners to the musical St. Petersburg of the era of the empresses. It will discuss court performances, the first theaters, European musicians, and the court's taste, which set trends for new genres, reflected the character of the rulers, and gradually changed the sound of the capital and its cultural habits. St. Petersburg of the 18th century is often remembered through its grand facades, balls, and ceremonial events, but this time also had its own recognizable sound. In the palace halls, opera arias, orchestral suites, and court marches sounded, accompanying celebrations, diplomatic receptions, and the everyday rituals of the court. Natalia Levkova's lecture shows how during this period music became an expressive language of power and an important part of the capital's life. The era of the female imperial period - the reign of Catherine I, Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, and Catherine II - was a time when the personal taste of the rulers directly influenced the cultural agenda. Their decisions determined which operas made it into the repertoire, which European composers and singers came to the capital, and which genres were considered exemplary. The lecture examines the stories of the emergence of court opera and ballet, discusses the first productions, and how the tradition of public theater was formed. A separate emphasis is placed on the figure of the listener. Music transcends the narrow court circle: new venues appear in the city where noble youth, officials, military personnel, teachers, students, and curious townspeople gather. Through descriptions of premieres, diary entries, and travelers' testimonies, it becomes clear which works were performed in the capital and what feelings fashionable operas evoked in the audience. Natalia Levkova shows how musical life intertwined with court etiquette, diplomacy, and urban everyday life. The choice of repertoire for coronation ceremonies, the organization of masquerades, and the work of the court orchestra - all these details come together to form a complete picture where music becomes part of the empire.