Giacomo Puccini and His World edited by Arman Schwartz and Emanuele Senici In this work, an international roster of music specialists offers critical perspectives on the composer. Pick up a copy before attending La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, Turandot or La Rondine. #SummerReading

Seeing students experience the beauty of the opera house certainly never gets old! In 1937, the Guild presented its first student matinee at the Met: Verdi's Aida. Since, the Guild has brought hundreds of thousands of students to experience live opera at the Met. #TBT

Carmen by Prosper Mérimée Boasting some of opera's most familiar tunes, Bizet's iconic Carmen is based on Prosper Mérimée's novella of the same title. Read the source material before attending the new Cracknell production of Carmen next season. #SummerReading

Planning to watch Falstaff on #GreatPerformancesPBS? Before your watch, check out these episodes of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast to make sure you get the most out of your viewing experience. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the opera! Listen here: on.soundcloud.com/58T4C

Did you know that the Met Opera Guild has been bringing students to the opera house for over 85 years? Follow along this month as we share a weekly #TBT and who knows, you might even recognize some of our students from past and present years!

Orpheus: The Song of Life by Ann Wroe In this extraordinary work, Wroe examines Orpheus and the power he represents through the myriad versions of his fantastical life. Delve into this analysis of the myth in advance of attending Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. #SummerReading

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Pull out your high school copy of perhaps the most famous play ever written and get back to the source material before witnessing a performance of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. #SummerReading

Happy #InternationalFriendshipDay! We are celebrating by taking a look at a handful of our favorite friendships displayed in next season's operas. Who are some of your most beloved opera friends?

Hallelujah Junction: Composing an American Life by John Adams Be sure to pick up a copy of Adams' "part memoir, part description and explication of the creative process" before attending a performance of Adams' opera-oratorio El Niño. #SummerReading

We are TWO WEEKS AWAY from our summer professional development intensive, but there's still time to sign up! Register today: metropolitanoperaguild.wufoo… For more information email [email protected]