The way composer-artist-impresario Gian Carlo Menotti tells it, historic Charleston, S.C., was like a sleeping beauty waiting for someone to deliver the ”kiss” that would wake it from its artistic slumber.
Menotti delivered it in 1977 in the form of an arts festival modeled after the annual one he began in a sleepy Italian hill town called Spoleto in 1958.
Menotti called it Spoleto U.S.A.
Charleston summers haven`t been the same since, and the festival has become one of America`s great summer arts celebrations. Menotti is still its artistic director and guru.
The Charleston mega-event`s 15th season (May 23 to June 9) promises to be a 123-performance spectacular, featuring opera, dance, theater, films, symphonies and more.
What makes Spoleto U.S.A. different this year is that the energetic Menotti turns 80 this summer. And his friends-from cellist-conductor Mstislav Rostropovich to Sir Peter Hall to Sandra the elephant-are coming from all over the world to make this a very happy birthday bash him.
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Festival information: Call 803-722-2764, or write to: Spoleto Festival, P.O. Box 157, Charleston, S.C. 29402.
