Ready for Spoleto Festival 2017?
Handsome Properties May 9, 2017
Handsome Properties May 9, 2017
Charleston, SC hosts a handful of high-profile festivals throughout the year. Arguably the most noteworthy is Spoleto. For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA takes over historic Charleston, SC’s theaters, churches, and outdoor venues with performances by world-renowned artists, as well as local talent, in opera, dance, theatre, and music. Spoleto is internationally recognized as the US’s premier performing arts festival.
The history behind Spoleto Festival USA begins in 1977. Pulitzer Prize winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others had the idea of creating an American counterpart to their annual Festival of Two Worlds which takes place annually in Spoleto, Italy. They were looking for the ideal American city that could offer the quantity of arts venues available for the festival to make sense. Charleston became the obvious choice.
Tickets tend to sell out quickly to the various performances offered by the festival each year. If you are planning to be in the area between May 25 and June 11, we highly recommend you take a look at Spoleto’s website to locate and purchase tickets. Read below some of the events we are excited about this year:
*Various other dates and times can be found on website.
Three-time Grammy award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater is a jazz event you won’t want to miss. Compared to famous artists such as, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Betty Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater always tends to capture the hearts of audiences she performs for. If you’re looking to enjoy some jazz in a picturesque outdoor setting, this is the event for you.
*Various other dates and times can be found on website.
One of the most significant plays of the 20th century, Waiting for Godot explores life’s great questions. Two friends are awaiting the arrival of a mysterious character, Godot, and end up discussing a variety of topics. Originally written by Samuel Beckett, this play has been given a fresh touch by Spoleto 2017 director, Garry Hynes. There are plenty of dates and times available for this great play. We highly recommend checking it out if you can.
*Various other dates and times can be found on website.
The US premier of this Royal Opera production, this opera is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Two principal characters from Les Liaisons dangereuses find themselves trapped in a game of seduction and deception. John Fulljames’ production presents a fully immersive experience that has captured audiences with its dark comedy and passion. If you’re looking for an opera, we think this one will be spectacular.
*Various other dates and times can be found on website.
For those interested in tap dancing, this world premier performance is the show to attend. Ayodele Casel’s training and talents make her a performer of great versatility. Chicago dance described her tapping by saying, “she floats over the floor delivering taps so clean, light, and quick they’re like a hummingbird’s thrumming.” Casel has been creating and performing her own work since 1999. She is sure to be one of the hits of the festival.
This is a one time only event featuring a combination of great musicians. The Westminster Choir, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus, as well as the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra join forces to present a variety of works including Mozart’s great unfinished mass.
The mass, which was thought to be written as a peace offering to Mozart’s father who did not approve of his marriage, is more ornate than any church music of its time. Handsome Properties will be sponsoring the dinner event happening after the show! Contact us for more details about this closed-to-the-public event.
With so many incredible options to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong at this year’s upcoming Spoleto Festival USA. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as shows will sell out quickly! We hope to see you out and about exploring Charleston in all of its artistic glory this Spring.
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