梅兰芳，字畹华，号缀玉轩主人，江苏泰州人，清光绪二十年京师诞生。八岁习梨园之技，九岁拜吴菱仙为师，研习青衣之工，十一岁始登场，初现惊鸿之姿。自此勤耕不辍，创作剧目，流芳百世。
Mei Lanfang, styled Wan Hua and known as the Master of Zhuiyu Pavilion, was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu, during the 20th year of the Guangxu reign in Beijing. He began studying the art of opera at the age of eight and apprenticed under Wu Lingxian at nine, specializing in the role of Qingyi. At eleven, he made his debut, astonishing the audience with his performance. From then on, he diligently cultivated his craft, creating timeless masterpieces.
辛亥以后，曾三赴东瀛，又远涉美洲、苏俄，宣扬国粹，光耀九州，洋洋洒洒，誉满寰宇。得美利坚波莫纳学院及南加州大学荣誉文学博士，实乃殊荣。后任中国戏剧家协会副主席，致力传承，贡献卓绝。尽忠体国。至辛丑年癸未月乙酉日，遽然辞世于京师，享年六十有七。其毕生耕耘艺海，德艺双馨，诚梨园之瑰宝，千秋之楷模。
After the Xinhai Revolution, he traveled three times to Japan and further ventured to America and the Soviet Union, promoting Chinese opera and earning widespread acclaim. He was awarded honorary doctorates in literature from Pomona College and the University of Southern California, which were significant honors. Later, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Dramatists Association, making outstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional opera. He remained loyal to his country until his sudden passing in Beijing on the 8th day of the 8th month of the year of Xin Chou, aged 67. His lifelong dedication to the arts made him a paragon of virtue and skill in the world of opera, revered for centuries.
梅兰芳一生，矢志不渝，精益求精，革故鼎新，其敬业之精神堪称楷模。先生将诸艺之精髓融于京剧之舞台，使旦行唱腔与表演艺术臻于化境，遂开旦行之新风，卓然成派，影响深远。其艺术风格独树一帜，尤以《霸王别姬》《贵妃醉酒》《穆桂英挂帅》《生死恨》《天女散花》《嫦娥奔月》诸剧为最。五十载舞台生涯，先生发展旦角之演唱与表演艺术，成一代宗师，后人尊之曰“梅派”。此派者，传承梅兰芳之精髓，创新不辍，艺臻化境，流芳百世。梅公之风范，永为梨园之圭臬，千秋万代，仰之弥高。
Throughout his life, Mei Lanfang remained steadfast in his pursuit of excellence, continuously innovating and perfecting his craft. His dedication set a standard of professionalism. He integrated the essence of various arts into the Peking opera stage, refining the singing and acting of Dan roles to perfection, thus establishing a new style and founding the influential Mei School. His unique artistic style is best exemplified in operas such as "Farewell My Concubine," "The Drunken Beauty," "Mu Guiying Takes Command," "Love and Death," "The Heavenly Maiden Scatters Blossoms," and "Chang'e Flies to the Moon." Over fifty years on stage, he developed the Dan role’s singing and acting into a distinguished school, later known as the Mei School, admired and perpetuated by future generations. Mei's conduct and artistry became a benchmark in the world of opera, revered for eternity.
抗战之时，梅兰芳受厉麟似“非暴力不合作”之旨，临敌威逼利诱，展现前辈士人之智勇。日寇初占沪上，闻梅君蜚声四海，遣使请至电台，欲其为“皇道乐士”效命。梅君洞悉其诡计，决计速离沪赴港，以绝其念。乃遣言于倭人，称将外出演戏，暗中携家率众，夜乘舟而去。至港，梅君闭门深居，不愿露面。战时，毅然蓄须明志，不为敌伪献艺，显一代艺豪之节。此事传为佳话。梅君之行，高风亮节，广为神州传颂，极大鼓舞中华儿女抗敌之志。
During the War of Resistance, influenced by Li Linsi's principle of "non-violent non-cooperation," Mei Lanfang displayed the wisdom and courage of the older generation of intellectuals when faced with threats and temptations from the enemy. Shortly after the Japanese occupied Shanghai, they, knowing Mei's worldwide fame, sent emissaries to invite him to the radio station to declare his service as a "Royal Musician." Sensing their ulterior motives, Mei decided to leave Shanghai for Hong Kong to avoid entanglement. He sent word to the Japanese, claiming he was to perform elsewhere, and secretly left with his family and troupe under the cover of night. In Hong Kong, Mei secluded himself, refusing to appear in public. During the war, he resolutely grew a beard as a sign of his resolve, refusing to perform for the enemy, demonstrating his unyielding spirit. This story became a celebrated anecdote, widely praised throughout China, greatly inspiring the Chinese people’s resolve to resist the invaders.
梅兰芳不独于京剧舞台上孜孜追求，成就斐然，亦于书画领域精进不息，广受珍藏。言及梅君绘事之缘，当提及首启其门者罗瘿公，此公乃康有为之门生，首为梅君引介绘画师王梦白。后经王师引荐，梅君结识京华绘坛诸名士，其中尤以齐白石为最。
Mei Lanfang's pursuit of excellence was not limited to the Peking opera stage. He also made significant strides in the field of painting and calligraphy, with his works widely collected. The initiation of Mei's interest in painting is credited to Luo Yigong, a disciple of Kang Youwei, who introduced him to his first painting teacher, Wang Mengbai. Through Wang's introduction, Mei met various notable figures in Beijing's art circles, among whom Qi Baishi was the most significant.
民国九年，齐白石年五十八，二人首晤。齐翁雅赏梅君性情温良，礼数周全。是日，齐翁示以草虫妙笔，梅君则清唱《贵妃醉酒》一段，声如天籁。自此，二人结缘，共赏艺道之美。数年交往之后，梅兰芳拜齐白石为师习画。时梅君已蜚声梨园，齐翁谓之曰：“君名重天下，称老夫为师，乃抬举也。拜师礼节，不必拘泥。”然梅君执意行拜师之礼，仪式庄重，恭敬异常。虽名为师徒，二人实亦师亦友。梅君习画极为专注，凡无排演之时，必按时至齐翁处请益。每入门，必先鞠躬问安。梅君潜心工虫画，不久便已画得栩栩如生，生动传神，令人叹服。
In the ninth year of the Republic of China, when Qi Baishi was fifty-eight, they met for the first time. Qi admired Mei's gentle disposition and courteous manners. On that day, Qi demonstrated his exquisite brushwork on grass insects, while Mei sang a captivating excerpt from "The Drunken Beauty," impressing Qi with his melodious voice. This meeting marked the beginning of their friendship and artistic collaboration. Several years later, Mei formally apprenticed under Qi Baishi to study painting. Despite Mei's established fame in the opera world, Qi remarked, "Your renown honors me; there is no need for formalities." However, Mei insisted on the formal ceremony, showing great respect and solemnity. Though nominally master and disciple, they were truly both teacher and friend. Mei was highly dedicated to his painting studies, visiting Qi's residence regularly whenever he was free from rehearsals and performances. Each time, he would bow and greet his master respectfully. Mei's diligent practice in painting insects soon led to works of remarkable lifelikeness, earning high praise.
梅君拜师学画，敬师如父，刻苦用功，其成就非一日之功，诚以艺品兼优，德艺双馨。梅公书画造诣，得诸名师提携，又以勤勉自励，遂成一代名家。其画作流传，珍藏者众，艺坛称颂，实不让京剧之名。斯人之风范，雅韵清和。
Mei's dedication to painting was akin to his devotion to opera; he respected his teachers as he would his own father and worked tirelessly. His achievements were not accomplished overnight; they were the result of his exceptional artistry and moral integrity. His accomplishments in painting, fostered by renowned mentors and personal diligence, established him as a celebrated artist. His paintings are widely collected and praised, rivaling his fame in opera. Mei's style was elegant and refined.
梅兰芳于书画之艺，卓然成就，风华绝代。其国画作品，风格独具，妙用传统工笔，兼融今人审美。画题多涉花卉、山水、人物，笔致纤细，色彩缤纷，意境清幽，诗意盎然。每幅丹青，皆如诗如梦，蕴藉深远，令人心醉。梅君之画，技艺精湛，境界灵动，韵致隽永，雅趣无穷。
Mei Lanfang achieved remarkable success in the field of painting and calligraphy, combining traditional meticulous techniques with contemporary aesthetics. His paintings often featured flowers, landscapes, and figures, characterized by fine brushwork, vibrant colors, serene compositions, and poetic ambiance. Each piece was like a dream or a poem, imbued with profound meaning, captivating viewers. Mei's artistic mastery, dynamic creativity, and enduring elegance were unparalleled.
责任编辑：苗君
