Of all operas in the standard repertory, none has had a more complicated genesis and textual history than Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann. Based on a highly successful 1851 play inspired by the short stories by the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann, the work occupied the last decade of Offenbach's life. When he died in October 1880, the work was being rehearsed at the Opera-Comique. At once cut and rearranged, the work was performed from the start in versions that ignored the composer's final intentions. Only a few decades ago, when previously unavailable manuscripts came to light, it became possible to reconstitute the score in its real form. Vincent Giroud and Michael Kaye's The Real 'Tales of Hoffmann' tells the full story for the first time in English. After discussing how the work of Hoffmann became known and influential in France, the book includes little-known sources for the opera, especially the complete Barbier and Carre play, in French and English. It describes the genesis of the opera. The annotated libretto is published in full, with the variants, for the two versions of the opera: with spoken dialogue or recitatives. Essays explain what was done to the opera after Offenbach's death, from the 1881 Opera-Comique production to more recent restoration attempts. There is also a survey of Les contes d'Hoffmann in performance from the 1970s to the present, and supplementary information, including discography, filmography, and videography. The Real 'Tales of Hoffmann' is intended to appeal to anyone interested in the work, specialists or non-specialists. Audiences, musicologists and students of French opera and opera-comique will find it of particular interest, as will opera houses, conductors, singers, directors, and dramaturgs involved in performances of the opera.

As you grow older, would you like life to get BETTER? Can you say, "The best is yet to come"?In this book, you will discover some inspiring and practical ways to slow the decline and feel better today! By starting to: alkalize your diet by eating more fruit and vegetables; add regular exercise that you love; walk in nature; reduce stress; and ditch the chemicals you put in and on your body.Eat Dance Shine addresses vibrant food, joyous movement and lasting happiness to create ultimate well-being and longevity. This is not 'yet another book' telling the reader what to do. Rather it presents the differing and sometimes conflicting health facts, often entertaining and personal. The reader is empowered to reawaken an awareness of what nourishes their body and mind so that they can learn to rely more on their own body signals and intuition.Talking from personal experience, nutritionist Michele Kaye helps readers to feel alive and energised rather than energy depleted, more in-tune with their bodies, and naturally choose food and exercise to support their well-being.As well as helping to support the reversal of a chronic health condition, Michele's tips can drop and release some weight effortlessly and permanently. You can tap into your body's incredible ability to heal itself every day. The changes Michele suggest sare positive and joyful; you'll want to weave them into your life!Full of detail, tips, recipes and personal experiences, each chapter ends with a summary for easy access. This supports the reader in using the book for snippets as well as more detailed readings, to make lasting changes to support healthy aging and well-being goals.

"And when she'd be asked, in years to come, what started the madness that became her life, she would only say, calmly, but with concrete resolution, "Because he killed my dog. I did all these things because he killed my dog.""

So begins the stunning, mesmerizing sequel to the 2005 novel 'From the Cradle to the Grave'.

This is Rachel's story. Now twenty-three, she has worked hard to recover from the deadly events that led her, as a six year old, to dramatically save her father's life. With her recovery by no means complete, Rachel becomes the prime suspect in a series of apparently unrelated local murders.

Her father, Mark, will not believe that his beloved, but damaged, daughter is responsible. But the police, and an ambitious TV reporter, come to think otherwise. As Rachel's life begins to unravel, the demons and doubts return, not only to her, but to all those aware of what she did as a child.

Most days there is far too much heartache, disappointment, if not headline grabbing disaster. The sad truth is we live in a broken world. Yet there is hope in God's word. We have to search for it actively and persistently. God's word can be mysterious, but it can be very personal, and that is where the real excitement starts. When you read a verse as if God were speaking directly to you, the power of the Holy Spirit comes alive, transforming you to be all that God created you to be. The 27 verses in this devotional allow me, if only for brief moments, to experience a spirit-filled existence. I pray that some of the verses in this devotional book will inspire you, as they do me, toward a deeper, more interactive relationship with our Creator. For years I read the bible, letting the words sink in, and then if the mood was right I would pray silently. Sound familiar? Now, I long for more interactive communication with God. When I read scripture the words still sink in, but so much more bubbles out. I want to respond, ask God questions, and search for more meaning and ways to apply His word in my life. Reading scripture has become personal, and the verses in this devotional book inspire me every time I read them. Perhaps they will inspire you. One can respond to scripture in many ways. One that has helped me grow spiritually is journaling. If you feel spirit-filled after reading a particular bible verse, I encourage you to record your thoughts. During this process day to day worries that often consume us will be blocked. Through this spiritual focus you will move closer to our Holy Father. And isn't that what communication with God is all about? Are you ready for interactive communication with God? If you read the bible or enjoy daily devotionals you will be inspired by this book.

For Christians, the promise of eternal life with God in Heaven is a source of great comfort, yet also one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. This book attempts to shed light on some of the mysteries of Heaven. What is Heaven like? Whom do we meet there? What we do in Heaven? And most importantly, how do we interact with Jesus as we bask in the glow of God's everlasting love?

In a set of short, simple, easy-to-follow lessons, Michael Kaye helps his readers understand the Bible's life-changing message. His straightforward, unassuming approach is ideal for anyone, regardless of religious background or experience, who desires to learn more about the book that has been transforming lives for nearly 2000 years.

How easy is it for an investment broker to deceive clients? Very, particularly if his personal hero is Bernie Madoff. Skip Horowitz, along with his old pal A.J., has created what they believe is a foolproof scheme using commodities trading, bookmaking, and various other businesses as covers. Their plan has served them well for decades, surviving the scrutiny of government agencies lacking solid proof to support any allegations of wrongdoing. But luck can't hold forever...or can it? Catherine O'Reilley, newly sponsored in the high-risk world of investment strategy by Skip Horowitz, is about to find out.

Powerful, sensual, and hauntingly moving, "The Choice"is the captivating story of the Sheppard family caught in an unexpected crisis.

Husband and wife, Tom and Nuala, are faced with harrowing decisions when Tom is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Their grown children, Rick and Jane, along with Tom's mother, Marian, are also deeply drawn into Tom's desperate situation.

Each family member faces their own conflicts and prejudices as they struggle to come to terms with Tom's mortality.

Tom's own pragmatic view of his illness forces his family to confront head-on one of today's most pressing and controversial issues.

Choices are made and choices are asked to be made. By the novel's end the family finally understands there simply are no easy answers, as it falls to Nuala to make the most heartbreaking choice of all.

Intriguing, poignant, and compelling, From the Cradle to the Grave is the story of identical twin girls, born in the dirt poor town of Mission Gulch, Tennessee and destined to live vastly different lives. Harshly separated at birth, Anne is adopted by a wealthy Connecticut couple, while Ronnie is left to grow and survive in the squalor and abuse of poverty. After years of betrayal and unhappiness, Ronnie discovers her sibling's existence and determines to seek out her long lost sister. Anne, now happily married to Mark, and the mother of their beloved six-year-old daughter, Rachel, remains unaware of her twin's existence. The novel's chapters alternate, each telling a different story. Anne's husband Mark's tale is one of discovery. The parallel story documents Ronnie's life, leading her to the realization she may never have the loving family she craves unless she wills her own destiny into being...putting Ronnie and Mark on a collision course that will change all their lives forever. Different environments; the same genetics...identical twins...or not?

The analysis and exclusive data that help Standard & Poor's professionals find hot stocks--now available to you

"The Standard & Poor's Guide to Selecting Stocks" reveals the stock selection methods of Standard & Poor's--the preeminent global provider of independent, highly valued investment data, valuation, analysis, and opinions. Clear descriptions give you the guidance to screen for stocks that meet criteria essential to receiving a STARS recommendation, from earnings momentum, to historic reaction to interest rate changes, earnings quality, governance superiority, and more.