40-Year Mark: Spoleto Festival USA Opens in South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Spoleto Festival USA is opening its 40th season, which promises to be a celebration of the spirit of Charleston, South Carolina.

The internationally known arts festival opens Friday with speeches and a brass fanfare in front of City Hall.

This year’s schedule includes Spoleto’s first production of the opera “Porgy and Bess,” which is set in Charleston. A number of performances also pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the shootings at Emanuel AME Church nearly a year ago.

Friday is also the first time someone other than Joe Riley presides at the opening as Mayor John Tecklenburg rings in the festival.

Riley retired earlier this year after 40 years in office.

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