The opera-goer's indispensable guide.

For seasoned opera-goers and first-time listeners alike, the definitive collection of opera stories. This guide treats opera lovers to absorbing plot summaries. John Freeman has carefully selected the works to represent the major operas performed today in the world's great houses, and he succeeds in vividly recounting the often intricate narratives. Whether used as a pre-performance refresher or a bedside companion, The Metropolitan Opera Stories of the Great Operas is an essential addition to any opera lover's library.

• Published jointly by the Metropolitan Opera Guild and Norton.

Tough Test Questions? Missed Lectures? Not Enough Time? Textbook too pricey? Fortunately, there's Schaum's. This all-in-one-package includes more than 220 practice exercises to sharpen your grammar skills. You'll find everything you need to build confidence, skills, and knowledge for the highest score possible. More than 40 million students have trusted Schaum's to help them study faster, learn better, and get top grades. Now Schaum's is better than ever-with a new look, a new format with hundreds of practice problems, and completely updated information to conform to the latest developments in every field of study. Schaum's Outline of Russian Grammar, Third Edition features: * Grammatical expressions used by native Russian speakers today * A complete review of grammar rules * An accessible format for quick and easy review * Hundreds of example sentences, and more * Access to revised Schaums.com website

The only text that takes a decision-making model approach to classroom management. It provides teachers with a very practical system to influence students to choose to behave productively and to strive for academic success. This widely used text presents an array of decision-making options that guide teachers in developing positive, pro-social classroom learning environments through relationship building, effective teaching strategies, and deliberate structuring of the classroom environment. The text also provides sets of principles to intervene when students are not focused in they way should be and to help them choose more productive behaviors. The text also addresses working within the classroom and with families and other school resources to help students who exhibit chronic behavior problems. Thoroughly revised and updated, Principles of Classroom Management: A Professional Decision-Making Model, 7th Edition, includes a much stronger focus on relationship building as a core activity in all phases of teaching(See new Chapter 7 as well as Chapters 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11) increased attention to the principles of motivation and their application in helping students to set high expectations for themselves and to believe they can achieve them(See new Chapter 7 as well as Chapters 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11) greater coverage of the knowledge teachers need to develop about cultural differences (Throughout the text) much more coverage of the challenges posed by new technologies, including cyber-bullying, cyber-cheating, and sexting (See Chapters 2 and 3) a variety of new cases as well as pre and post-chapter reflective activities (New iterative cases are included at the end of Chapters 1, 4, 7, and 11 and new cases are also embedded in Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10.) From reviews of the book: "The text provides a very comprehensive view of classroom management that builds hierarchically, logically, and strategically. . . . The text provides not only the skills for effective classroom management . . ., but [it] includes a conceptual and theoretical perspective that is comprehensive and coupled with numerous examples and case studies that clarify and strengthen." -Marilyn Howe, Clarion University of Pennsylvania "I really like the way in which the authors engage readers from the beginning in a realistic conversation about the influence and importance of handling behaviour problems at all levels." -Eleanor Wilson, University of Virginia

In Boston Symphony Orchestra: An Augmented Discography, James H. North gathers all the information about Boston Symphony musical recordings into one volume, capturing over 90 years of recorded history. Similar to his earlier New York Philharmonic volume, this discography contains a chronological list citing complete details of the recording sessions, such as works performed, the soloists and choruses, session dates and venues, recording companies and producers, first release dates, and information related to master copies and all issues of the recording, including 78- and 45-rpm discs, Long-Playing records, and Compact Discs. The material is cross-referenced in indexes and organized alphabetically by composer, conductor, and soloist, referring the reader to the appropriate entry in the main listing. Works by more than 100 composers, 30 conductors, and 250 soloists are included. Two additional appendixes list two-track tapes and video recordings by the BSO. In addition to commercial recordings, this volume contains separate sections on recordings issued by the U.S. government, recordings made by other ensembles consisting solely of Boston Symphony musicians, and a complete, self-enclosed discography of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players. A final appendix presents an extended list of unauthorized "pirate" issues, documenting BSO live performances and broadcasts from the 1930s to the present day. With a foreword by James Levine, this valuable resource is beneficial for collectors, fans, and anyone interested in recorded classical music and the history of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.