Spoleto Festival USA

Spoleto Festival USA, founded in 1977 by Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others, is an esteemed performing arts festival held annually in Charleston, South Carolina. Lasting for 17 days and nights each spring, the festival showcases a diverse array of performances in opera, theater, dance, and various music genres, including chamber, symphonic, choral, jazz, and contemporary styles.

The festival's mission is to foster a culture of belonging and deepen public appreciation for the arts. It is recognized as America's premier performing arts festival, attracting renowned artists and emerging performers from around the world. The festival's location in Charleston, known for its historical charm and preserved architecture, provides a unique and captivating setting for both audiences and artists.

Spoleto Festival USA is committed to nurturing young talent, offering opportunities for young performers to work with master artists, conductors, directors, designers, and performers. Many distinguished artists, such as Renée Fleming, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, have performed at the festival early in their careers.

The festival's orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, is a prestigious ensemble for young professional musicians. Comprised of advanced conservatory students and young professionals, the orchestra accompanies the festival's opera selections and symphonic concerts, with smaller ensembles participating in choral, chamber, and contemporary performances.

Since its inception, Spoleto Festival USA has produced and/or presented over 20 opera, dance, and theater world premieres, including works by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Laurie Anderson, and Philip Glass. The festival has also played a significant role in cultural development in Charleston, contributing to the renovation of numerous performance spaces and fostering the city's growth as a top destination for arts and culture.