A collection of essential Schubert songs for students which includeds historical notes, translations and International Phonetic Alphabet. The diction lessons were recorded by Irene Spiegelman, German diction coach at the Metropolitan Opera. The diction for each song is recorded twice: first recited as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood, followed by a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. This experienced language coach adapts the "R" in German in the slow versions as recommended for classical singers. She is also very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. Titles include: An die Musik; An die Nachtigall; Auf dem Wasser zu singen; Der Musensohn; Die Forelle; Du bist die Ruh; Ganymed; Gretchen am Spinnrade; Heidenroslein; Im Fruhling; Lachen und Weinen; Nacht und Traume; Rastlose Liebe; Standchen; Seligkeit.