析論梁濟的戲曲改良理念及其劇作之實踐

An Analysis of Liang Ji’s Idea of Opera Reform and His Praxis Through His Operatic Works

本文關注清末民啟蒙知識分子、同時也是劇作家的梁濟（1858-1918）如何透過參與北京戲曲改良運動，實踐儒家理想、救濟社會國家之長期軌跡。自清末開始興起的戲曲改良運動，將戲劇視作社會改良之工具，眾多有志之士紛紛投入，在提倡改良理論的言說上，以及實務執行方面，均有豐碩的成果。梁濟在一九○五年創作的《女子愛國》，即在如此風潮下產生，本劇是北京最早的出現的改良新戲之一，而後他一直與劇場保持密切的連結。迄今學界對於梁濟的研究成果，較忽視他與戲曲改良之間的聯繫，對其戲劇作品也缺乏關注。然而，若是從梁氏留下的文集與遺書，以及劇作當中可以觀察得知，戲劇成為個人生命中與社會連結的重要面向，亦是實踐社會教育的重要載體。一九一八年最後改編的作品《庚娘傳》，在戲劇結構及藝術層面上轉為成熟，舞台演出亦是相當成功，甚至直至四○年代依然可見演出紀錄，足見本劇帶給劇場的影響力。故而，梁濟在近代戲劇史上的貢獻，值得給予更多的評價。本文基於上述思惟，首先將探討梁濟早期參與戲曲改良的歷程，隨後將分析梁氏致力於改良之因，聚焦於他藉由戲曲推行啟蒙教育的理想，最後將分析《女子愛國》與《庚娘傳》解讀其中的內容與思想。

The discussion of this article will begin with Liang Ji (1858-1918), aparticipant in the Opera Reform Movement and an opera composer. In the Opera Reform Movement that raged in full force in the late Qing, opera was regarded as an instrument of social reform. Many took part in it and produced remarkable results in both operatic theory and practice.“Patriotic Women”that Liang Ji composed in 1905, one of the earliest reform opera works, was produced in such amilieu. Thereafter, he maintained close connections with the theatre. Today, scholarly output concerning Liang Ji tends to overlook his relationship with the Opera Reform Movement, and has not paid enough attention to his operatic works. However, if one examines the collection of his works and posthumous writings, one can see that opera is an important link in his connection with society.“The Story of Gengniang,“the last of his adapted operas, was not only successful when it was produced in 1918 but also, as records show, continued to be performed up to the 1930s. From this, one can see the influence this opera has had on the theatre. His operatic efforts therefore deserve more attention. On this basis, this article will explore the progress of Liang Ji’s early involvement in the Opera Reform Movement in order to fill alacuna in the present study of opera and theater history. Moreover, the article will also analyze the motivation behind Liang Ji’s participation in the Opera Reform Movement, focusing on his ideal of promoting formative education through drama. Finally, this article will offer details and thoughts regarding explication of the content of“Patriotic Women”and“The Story of Gengniang.”