试论昆曲观众的历史变迁与现状

History and status quo of Kun opera audience

昆曲观众的历史变迁与现状如何,与昆曲作为非物质文化遗产的保护大有关系,本文就其中几个问题进行初步思考。昆曲今天无疑是"小众艺术",但在历史上并非始终如此,至少在晚明至清初,昆曲兼有"大众艺术"和"小众艺术"双重身份。它当时之所以是"大众艺术",是因为有很多职业戏班,有很多广场演出,有广大的观众群,还有很多唱曲活动。昆曲从清中叶以后逐步变成"小众艺术",与家班演出的封闭性有关,与清曲、剧曲"至严不相犯"有关,与花雅之争的形势也有关。昆曲列入世界非物质文化遗产以来,经过多方面努力,观众数量有所增加,而且呈现年轻化、知识化的趋势,这是可喜的现象,应当因势利导,加大宣传推广力度,合理运用价格杠杆,确保"小众",有条件时争取部分"大众",使昆曲在活态传承中保持原汁原味。

The history and status quo of Kun opera audience matter much to the protection of this intangible cultural heritage.Though Kun opera is undoubtedly a select art,it was not.As early as late Ming and early Qin Dynasty,the identity of Kun opera was twofold:it was a popular art in that there were numerous theatrical troupes,performances,and a large audience;later it dwindled into a select art because of the isolation of family opera troupes,independence between Qing Qu and operas since the middle Qin Dynasty.Since it was put on the list of the world intangible cultural heritage,Kun opera has been drawing a bigger,younger and more educated audience.It is hoped that more effort can be made to increase the popularity of Kun opera and inject new life into it.