DESIGNED FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR SELF-INSTRUCTION

By OSKAR GUTTMANN,

Professor of esthetic Physical Culture^ Dramatic Reading and Acting; Author of "■iEsTHETic Physical Culture," " Talent and School," etc.

PUBLISHER'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

Many persons begin their professional career by publishing '' treatises," " methods," " systems"— mere theories which the authors themselves have not tested, and which are either plagiarisms^ or, if original, possess little or no merit ; sometimes these publications are even injurious because they are the result of ignorance and false principles.

OsKAR GuTTMANN, in coutradistinction to the many writers who flood and afflict the public, did not take up the pen until he had something of value to communicate, — something which had been subjected to the crucial test of practical experience. But he had no prototype, no author from whom he could draw. He was alone. He was the discoverer, the inventor, the pioneer, the formulater. It is well that he was forced to go to nature, to drink at the fountain head, for in so doing he produced a work founded upon the natural, scientific principles governing vocal anatomy, physiology and hygiene ; the production, management and cultivation of the singing and speaking voice.

Twenty-five years ago was issued the first German edition of Gymnastics of the Voice, which at once became a standard authority, — a position it holds until this day, notwithstanding the many volumes that have appeared and which are — forgotten ! It has been the source from which many subsequent writers have taken ideas and exercises, generally without credit and also without properly and intelligently reproducmg them.

The repeated editions in Europe, and the necessity of another American edition so soon after the issue of the first, are proof positive of its merit and durability. It is a book that has come to stay !

The text for the new edition has been thoroughly revised from beginning to end. Many pages of new matter have been added, including numerous exercises for fractice which have never bf.fore been in print, and which are the results of the author's life-long study and experience ; and the whole work has been put into a form adapted to use as a text-book in colleges and schools, and as a self-instructor by any person.