Charleston, South Carolina's Spoleto Festival USA

When the Pulitzer Prize winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti joined forces with Christopher Keene and others to find an American counterpart for the Festival of Two Worlds, Charleston, South Carolina was a natural fit.

Picturesque Charleston, SC offers many charms similar to those found in Spoleto, Italy. Charleston's cobblestone streets, elegant mansions and historic churches provide the perfect backdrop for a world-class arts festival. Additionally, for many generations Charleston has displayed a deep appreciation for and involvement in the arts, both performing arts and fine arts. In fact, America's first theatre and ballet companies originated in Charleston, and the oldest musical organization in the country began here. Audiences in Charleston are known as being artistically savvy and sophisticated enough to support a world-class arts festival; a culturally rich city with a desire to support all art forms. As a performing arts enthusiast, I am delighted to call Charleston, SC my home.

Another important and obvious feature required for a major arts festival, Charleston, SC has an abundance of elegant performing arts venues. Old world theatres and long-established churches create an excellent ambience for performers and theatre-goers alike. A happy result of the beautifully adorned classic venues coupled with the modern conveniences of a bustling city and the proper theatre-going demographic; in 1977 Charleston, South Carolina was selected to host the Spoleto Festival USA. What an honor for our fair city.

From late May through early June, Charleston's Spoleto Festival USA brings over 120 acclaimed international artists to the South. An annual 17-day festival and extravaganza, Charleston's theaters and churches play host to some of the most spectacular, dynamic and varied performances seen in America. Even the alleys, courtyards and gardens are filled with displays, Charleston becomes a real performing arts Mecca. A feast for the senses.
During the Spoleto Festival, the entire city is dominated by continuous high-caliber events and draws between 70,000 and 80,000 arts lovers to Charleston annually.

During the 17 day Spoleto festival, there is something for everyone. Music lovers appreciate Spoleto's wide variety of selections including classical and jazz music, opera, blues, bluegrass and folk music, samba, orchestral music, chamber music, string quartets, piano performances, medieval music, choral groups and even 'pyrotechnic guitar' music. At Spoleto there is always an eclectic musical mix, ranging from the traditional to the newest and brightest. In fact, the Spoleto Festival is designed to provide international performers and artists an opportunity to debut new productions and premiers. Live music being a personal favorite, words cannot describe some of the performances I've had the great good fortune of attending. Incredible, I get emotional just writing about it.

Dance lovers will revel in the ballet, folk and modern dance performances and theatre buffs will enjoy both large-scale productions and experimental black-box offerings. Visual arts displays hang in many of Charleston's buildings and there is even an open-air gallery for both the casual observer and the art collector to enjoy.

Charleston's Spoleto Festival USA has staunchly maintained the carefully constructed traditions of the Festival of Two Worlds. Hosting a broad and unusual menu of artistic options - from the traditional to the unusual - and providing a stage for young artists to showcase their talents is the mainstay of the Spoleto Festival.

According to the Spoleto Festival UAS information guide, 100 international premieres and 93 American premieres have been presented at Spoleto, most notably Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams and The American Clock by Arthur Miller. Also fascinating, world-renowned artists who performed at Spoleto in their early days include Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, and Yo-Yo Ma to name a few.

A rare opportunity for an avid fan of the arts, Spoleto offers a chance to see both established international musicians, dancers, actors and acclaimed visual artists as well as the brightest newcomers to the arts scene. All in one place! This winning and unusual combination has audiences making an annual pilgrimage to Charleston's Spoleto Festival year after year.

Charleston, South Carolina and Spoleto, Italy have joined together to support innovative artistic endeavors and provide a platform for nurturing talented new artists and acclaimed ensembles, thereby expanding international appreciation of all the art forms. If you cannot make it to Charleston for Spoleto, please support your local arts.

For information call:

Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau: 800.868.8118

Spoleto Festival USA: 843.722.2764

Visit http://www.spoletousa.org for a schedule of events, package rates, coupon codes and a list of Spoleto Partner Hotels.

Sources:
Spoleto Festival USA
http://www.spoletousa.org/2009.php
Charleston Low Country.com
http://www.charlestonlowcountry.com/specialpages/spoleto.html