In the late seventeenth century the oratorio in Italy was in a state of flux. Ostensibly religious in character, it was becoming increasingly prone to operatic influence and political pressure from such wealthy patrons as Francesco Il d'Este, duke of Modena from 1674 to 1694. This study of the oratorio in Modena offers a critical survey of Francesco II's oratorio collection, describes the development of the oratorio tradition, and covers general historical matters which had an effect upon it.