The stories included in this book, with the exception of the novels “From Different Distances” and “The Last Session”, in which the whole creative path of Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky is briefly outlined, tell about one significant, major work of the composer. So, in the story about Glinka “Forgotten Draft” the action revolves around the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila” But there are other, side themes: Glinka and Stasov, Glinka’s last years, his quest and aspirations. The main theme of the story "Generous Heart", its "leitmotif" is Borodin's opera "Prince Igor" The last story - "Happy Card" is entirely devoted to the opera "The Queen of Spades" . The reader will not find here the history of the work on the "Peak Lady" - the story begins at the end of the opera and ends with its first production. The interval from May to early December 1890, from the end of the opera to the premiere, is the period chosen by the author of the book. In the book "Five Portraits" a lot of arguing, thinking . Many people pass in front of us: Balakirev and Stasov, Tolstoy and Botkin, Odoevsky and Figner, Glazunov and Rubinstein . Some are slightly outlined, others perform brightly, in the foreground. But all of them distant and close formed the circle of composers, influenced them and therefore entered this book.