悼念陳富烟先生 In Memory of Mr. Fu-yen Chen
林佩華 敬輓
我是上海崑劇團的演員，隨著崑曲之緣來到紐約，結識了紐約崑曲社的老社長陳富烟先生，和在坐的從事熱愛崑劇的同仁們。歲月如流轉眼已有十九年之余，陳社長的笑語身影還歷歷在目，影響深刻。記得他第一次駕車來看望我們繞了好多個彎才找到我們的住地，他的熱情真誠，為人正直，辦事干練，和對藝術的崇敬，我們都深有體會。
崑曲社頻繁的活動演出，使我們結下了更多的友情，每次聚會陳社長都主動迎上熱情握手，頻頻問候，賀卡信中都稱兄道弟，實為謙卑。陳社長為我們的身份延期手續不厭其煩，親自為我去找律師奔走；包括後來辦理身份，幫助出證明寫信不辭辛勞。有時活動完畢駕車送我們回住地，關心談及自己初來異國他鄉的奮鬥經歷，來激勵我們，使大家有精神上的支柱。陳社長特別在對崑曲藝術的弘揚和完美的追求，我們首次排演全本的＜春草闖堂＞大戲，當時崑曲社要我寫有關預算的具體報告，一次又一次，認真無比。經他多次執著奮力，一場場，一出出的大戲，給紐約帶來國粹藝術的欣賞。我們今天至所以能保持在海外不間斷地推廣中華國粹藝術，就是有前一輩的聖賢，為之開創的堅實基礎，我們要保持這高雅的崑曲社社風：天行健君子以自強不息之精神，幽蘭清馨醉人之風韻，源遠流長！
在這裡為我們敬崇的陳富烟先生賦詩以告慰在天之靈：
幽 蘭 清 馨 君 家 夢 ，藝 苑 珍 粹 汝 殫 心 ，
崑 壇 殿 堂 秀 春 草 ，百 戲 群 芳 烜 瑞 新 ，
前 日 宮 商 付 瑤 琴 ，今 君 拂 袖 忽 去 僊 ，
空 憶 長 嘯 思 君 情 ，堯 天 稱 君 大 大 夫 。
吳德璋，林佩華 敬輓
二零一二年，八月十九日
by Dezhang Wu and Peihua Lin
I am a performer from the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe. In the course of my kunqu journey I came to New York and met the former president Mr. Fu-yen Chen, as well as other colleagues who are present here and have dedicated their lives and time to kunqu. Time flies and it has been more than nineteen years since I first met President Chen. His laugh, speech, and mannerisms are still vivid and greatly impress me. I remember the first time he drove to visit us, when he took many wrong turns before he reached us. We have felt deeply his compassion and sincerity, his integrity as a person, his sharpness in managing affairs, and his respect for the arts.
The frequent activities of the Society helped us build our friendship. Whenever we met, President Chen would come forward and shake hands with warmth, asking about our wellbeing. In cards and letters he would address us as brothers, which was indeed a humbling act for him. In arranging the extension of our stay, President Chen was not deterred by the trivial legal procedures and sought lawyers on my behalf. His help extended to our residency application for which he generously wrote supporting documents and letters. Sometimes when he drove us home after the events were done, to show his care for us he would tell us the struggles he went through when he first arrived in this foreign land. He used his own examples to inspire us and serve as our moral support. Especially, President Chen set a high goal for promoting and presenting the kunqu art. When we first rehearsed Spring-grass, I was asked by the Society to report on the budget. We went through the report very carefully, time and again. With his persistent efforts, the Society was able to present quality productions, one after another, and offer New York opportunities to appreciate the essence of Chinese performing arts. Today we are able to maintain the good work of promoting the kunqu art, thanks to the prescience of the wise from the former generation who built a solid foundation. It is now our duty to maintain this culture of refinement and elegance of the Society: The Heavens will help those who continue to strive for excellence; the orchid will emit its subtle fragrance carrying its distinct character. May the Society remember its roots and last for a long time to come!
Here we offer a verse as our consolation to the respected Mr. Chen above:
The orchid’s pure fragrance was your dream, the precious treasure of the arts your concern. In the forum of kunqu Spring-grass was presented; many plays followed, in diverse forms, showing brilliance and new spirit. The music from the old days was played on the zither; today you, sir, suddenly left us behind, In empty remembrance and long sighs we think of your caring; as we now live in peace we address you as a great gentleman.
Respectfully,
Dezhang Wu and Peihua Lin
August 19, 2012
