从另一个视角审视梅兰芳访美演出的艰辛历程与文化意义——以纽约公共图书馆馆藏16封信件为依据

A New Perspective on the Difficulties and Cultural Significance of Mei Lanfang's American Tour:Based on Sixteen Letters from the New York Public Library

纽约公共图书馆馆藏的16封信件显示了梅兰芳访美演出所涉的大量准备工作。在这个过程中,中美双方诸多人士交流沟通,通力协作,准备工作中包括可行性论证、目标定位、市场和观众预测,以及经纪人、剧场、剧目等诸多事项选择与安排。上述所有工作都经历了多方探索与反复磋商,而参与这一过程的美国人士涉及当时的社会各界,显示了人心所向和人际网络的作用。梅兰芳的访美演出取得了巨大成功,实现了文化交流的目标。文化交流是梅兰芳1930年访美演出贯彻始终的第一要义,不仅访问演出本身是文化交流,筹备访问演出的过程也是文化交流。

The sixteen letters archived in the New York Public Library reveal the extensive preparations involved in Mei Lanfang's performance tour in America.Throughout this process,many individuals from both China and the U.S.communicated and collaborated closely.The preparations included feasibility studies,goal setting,market and audience predictions,and the selection and arrangement of agents,theatres,and plays.All of these tasks underwent extensive exploration and repeated negotiations,involving various sectors of American society,illustrating the role of public sentiment and interpersonal networks.Mei Lanfang's American tour was a resounding success,achieving the goal of cultural exchange.Cultural exchange was the primary focus throughout Mei Lanfang's 1930 American tour,with both the performances and the preparation process itself serving as the forms of cultural exchange.