Spoleto Festival USA is underway, bringing world-class opera, music, dance, and theater to Charleston. We caught up with Mena Mark Hanna, the festival’s General Director and CEO, to hear what’s new this year. From exciting premieres to community programs, here’s what to expect this year.
Is there an overarching theme or artistic vision for this year’s Spoleto Festival USA?
There is never a single explicit theme at Spoleto; rather, we try to see how the stories told and emotions felt during the festival speak to the layers of complexity around us. In this season, you see a lot of questions around truth, identity, and perception; the messy in-between of what is seen and what is sensed.
How does Spoleto balance tradition with innovation?
Spoleto honors tradition by showcasing renowned composers, choreographers, and playwrights. The Bank of America Chamber Music series, for instance, consistently features canonical classics performed by world-class musicians. The Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra and Chorus also perform beloved classical pieces. They also produce their own operas, often specializing in rarely performed masterpieces by well-known composers.
We are also a significant commissioner of new works, including world premieres of operas, plays, and dance pieces. This includes showcasing “American premieres” of international works, introducing audiences to cutting-edge performances from around the globe.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes insights into this year’s curation process?
Curating the Spoleto Festival USA lineup is a meticulous process. Our team of producers, artistic directors, and curators starts planning sometimes years before the festival even opens. For the new productions we develop and bring to life, the time frame for creation and preparation can range from many months to several years.
How does the festival engage with Charleston’s local arts community and businesses?
Our Open Stage Door program increases accessibility to the festival for local service-oriented nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, and educational groups in the greater Charleston area. In 2024, over 300 free tickets were given to more than 20 organizations, fostering genuine connections between individuals and the art.
What excites you most about this year’s festival?
I’m most excited about the operatic offerings, Spoleto’s own premiere productions of Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” and Jules Massenet’s “Thaïs.” These two productions represent our commitment to both classic repertoire and groundbreaking interpretation, and I’m eager to witness the artistry the cast will bring to life on stage.
“The Turn of the Screw,” with its chilling psychological depth and haunting score, promises a truly immersive experience at the Dock Street Theatre, a venue that’s ideally suited for such an intimate and suspenseful chamber opera.
Then there’s “Thaïs,” a magnificent French opera with a lush score, including the famous “Méditation.” To have the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra and Chorus onstage with the cast at the Charleston Gaillard Center will create an immersive and profound experience, allowing the richness of Massenet’s music to truly envelop the audience.
What are some of the most anticipated performances this year?
A major highlight this year is the Front Row Series at the College of Charleston’s beautiful Cistern Yard. The series will feature an exceptional lineup of music legends, including punk icon Patti Smith, blues powerhouse Mavis Staples, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. They’ll be joined by beloved artists like Charleston’s own Band of Horses, and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy promising unforgettable evenings of diverse genres and compelling performances.
How does this year’s lineup offer something fresh for longtime attendees?
A true highlight offering something new for even seasoned Spoleto-goers is Alisa Weilerstein’s “Fragments.” For the first time ever, audiences can experience the entire six-part cycle of this massive and ambitious project, which includes the world premieres of “Fragments 5" and “Fragments 6.”
The festival also features exciting cross-genre collaborations. The Kronos Quartet makes its Spoleto debut, teaming up with Charleston’s own Charlton Singleton and Quentin E. Baxter for a world premiere that bridges contemporary classical and jazz.
Additionally, Cécile McLorin Salvant will perform jazz standards with the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Etienne Charles’s “Gullah Roots” project offers a culturally rich musical exploration, and the Limón Dance Company will integrate the Spoleto Festival USA Chorus into their performance of “Missa Brevis” for a powerful fusion of dance and live choral music.
How would you describe the “Spoleto experience” to someone who’s never attended?
Unlike festivals confined to one venue, Spoleto is woven into the fabric of Charleston itself. You’ll move from a dramatic opera at the Charleston Gaillard Center to a chamber music concert in the historic Dock Street Theatre, then perhaps an experimental dance piece in a repurposed space, all while experiencing Charleston’s renowned culinary scene and Southern charm. It’s a true cultural vacation.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with prospective attendees?
If you’re considering attending Spoleto Festival USA this year, know that it’s our 49th season, a testament to nearly five decades of artistic excellence and innovation — making it a perfect time to return if you haven’t been in a while.
Most importantly, embrace the festival’s incredible diversity by exploring new genres and experiences, and take time to enjoy the charm of Charleston itself.
