Spoletoblog

Festival to "celebrate the life" of Menotti

The following is the text of an e-mail sent out by Spoleto General Director Nigel Redden and festival officials Tuesday afternoon:

February 13, 2007

Dear Friend of the Festival,

All of us associated with Spoleto Festival USA are saddened by the death of Gian Carlo Menotti, who passed away on February 1, 2007.

Some thirty years ago, Mr. Menotti founded Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston as the “new world” counterpart to the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. In his opening statement in the very first Spoleto Festival USA program, Mr. Menotti remarked, “Just as the composer – without being able to define ‘inspiration’ – knows when he is inspired, I knew that Charleston would be the town of my choice as soon as I set foot in it, and Charleston, with its enchantment, will confirm to the beholder the wisdom of this choice.” His vision was for the festival to be “fertile ground for the young with new ideas and a dignified home for the masters.” We embraced his vision and Charleston lived up to his expectations as the perfect setting for the festival. All of the artists and all of the members of the audience, board and staff since 1977 have in some way benefited from his inspiration.

During the festival this year, we plan to celebrate the life of Gian Carlo Menotti. Please continue to check www.spoletousa.org for additional programming if you would like to join us in remembering this remarkable composer and friend of the arts and artists.

Sincerely,

Joseph Flummerfelt
Artistic Director for Choral Activities

Emmanuel Villaume
The Christel DeHaan Music Director for Opera & Orchestra

Charles Wadsworth
The Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Artistic Director for Chamber Music

Nigel Redden
General Director

Menotti dead at 95

Composer and artistic director Gian Carlo Menotti, the founder of The Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, and later the Spoleto Festival USA here in Charleston, died earlier today in Monaco.

The Associated Press quoted Menotti's adopted son, Francis "Chip" Menotti, as saying that the elder Menotti "died in my arms."

Menotti left the Charleston festival on bitter terms in 1993, citing "overt hostility" from the local festival as his reason for severing ties. The festival was $900,000 in debt.

Residual animosity from that split was still viewed as the primary obstacle to any possible reunion of the Italian and Lowcountry festivals as recently as 2004. Said Spoleto USA director Nigel Redden at the time, "I don't imagine that the two festivals will reconcile while  Gian Carlo remains in charge."