Spoleto announces program for 2008

The Spoleto Festival USA Opening Ceremonies event is the official kick off to the 17 day and night international arts festival. The 2008 Spoleto Festival USA will be held in Charleston, South Carolina from May 23 - June 8. Photo by: William Struhs.


An operatic telling of the Amistad slave ship rebellion heads an exciting, multi-genre program for Spoleto Festival USA, which runs May 23-June 8 in Charleston SC.

Spoleto, sister festival of the one held annually in Spoleto, Italy, and one of Festival Preview’s top picks for classical music, has recently announced its 2008 program. Although eclectic in nature, this festival focuses heavily on classical music. Among this year’s prominent events is Amistad, composed by Anthony Davis. Amistad, based on historical facts, is set in 1839. In the story, which will be conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, spirits and gods lead slaves from the coast of the US back to Africa, where freedom awaits. The music exhibits a variety of influences, including blues and jazz. The production will be held in the Memminger Auditorium, which has recently received a $6 million makeover.

Cenerentola, an operatic Cinderella story by Gioachino Rossini, will be performed in the Gaillard Auditorium four nights during the festival. In his version of the story, Rossini exchanges fairy godmothers and glass slippers for philosophers and bracelets. It will be directed by Charles Roubaud and conducted by Matteo Beltrami.

Spoleto is also hosting an orchestral program, featuring three concerts focusing on seven different classical composers. The first concert centers on the music of Brahms and David Newman and will feature performances by wind quintet Imani Winds and the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra. The audience will be treated to Brahms’ First Symphony and David Newman’s Concerto for Winds.

The second of three concerts will be showcasing works by Beethoven, Haydn, and Brahms. The Westminster Choir and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus will join the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra for Brahms’ Nänie, Hadyn’s Te Deum, and Beethoven’s Mass in C. Conducting this concert will be Joseph Flummerfelt.

The final concert in the orchestral program features Bartók, Debussy, and Stravinsky selections to be played by American pianist Andrew von Oeyeyn. He will be accompanied by the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, led by the Festival Music Director for Opera and Orchestra, Emmanuel Villaume. Pieces to be performed are La Mer (Debussy), Firebird Suite (Stravinsky), and Bartók’s piano concerto.

Providing thirty-three concerts over the seventeen-day festival, the Bank of America Chamber Music Series is an ongoing collection of classical music concerts featuring a variety of artists. Performers in this year’s series include the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Stephan Prutsman, Alisa Weilerstien, Tara Helen O’Connor and Daniel Phillips. Performances will be held in the stunning Memminger Auditorium.

Delving into the world of contemporary music, John Kennedy will direct Music in Time. This show, held in the recital hall of the Simons Center, will highlight artists Anthony Davis, Somei Satoh, Tan Dun, and Kennedy.

Adding to a theme of contemporary music at Spoleto will be performances by Laurie Anderson in Memminger Auditorium. Electronic in nature, her featured piece, Homeland, portrays today’s obsession with information and security.

Other non classical events at Spoleto include the musical theater production of Monkey: Journey to the West, performances by the Carolina Chocolate Drops for roots fans, and Jazz Goes to Church featuring the Cyrus Chestnut Trio.

For more information about the Spoleto Festival USA, visit: www.spoletousa.org.