Ruinous Gods
Date: May 24, 27, 29, June 1
Venue: Sottile Theatre at College of Charleston
With a groundbreaking score that weaves Arabic maqam and Western classical music, this world premiere opera urges crucial conversations about the effect of displacement on migrant children.
L.A. Dance Project: Romeo and Juliet Suite
Date: May 25, 26
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
Acclaimed choreographer Benjamin Millepied stages a bold, multidisciplinary adaptation of the timeless tragedy with Prokofiev’s lush score performed by live orchestra.
The Song of Rome
Date: May 25, 26, 27, 31, June 1, 2
Venue: Dock Street Theatre
In their world premiere exploration of Virgil’s Aeneid, Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson toggle between past and present to depict power dynamics that feel as resonant today as during the fall of the Roman republic.
fix+foxy: Dark Noon
Date: May 31, June 1, 2
Venue: Festival Hall
Seven South African actors personify mythologized archetypes of the American West to offer an outsider’s unflinching perspective on U.S. history.
Cassette Roulette: John Cameron Mitchell and Amber Martin
Date: May 25, 26
Venue: Festival Hall
In a capricious showcase of songs, stories, and characters, Tony-winner John Cameron Mitchell and cabaret superstar Amber Martin perform an audience interactive mixtape not to be missed.
Lightwire Theater: The Ugly Duckling
Date: June 1, 2
Venue: Rose Maree Myers Theater at Charleston County School of the Arts
With dazzling visuals, this vibrant, family-friendly production illuminates the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale in a feast for the eyes and soul.
Sasha Velour’s The Big Reveal Live Show!
Date: June 6
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
Classic drag, intimate storytelling, live art, and video experimentation collide in this sought-after spectacle from the internationally celebrated drag performer Sasha Velour.
Casus Creations: Apricity
Date: June 6–9
Venue: Festival Hall
Australia-based Casus Creations returns to Spoleto to present a mesmerizing and uplifting combination of acrobatics, aerials, music, and humor.
An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma
Date: May 30
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
The legendary cellist reflects on his five-year, six-continent tour of Bach’s Cello Suites in both performance and conversation. Joining him are two extraordinary artists he met during his travels— Angélique Kidjo and Jeremy Dutcher.
Bank of America Chamber Music
Date: May 24–June 9
Venue: Dock Street Theatre
Under the inspired curation of new director Paul Wiancko, globally renowned musicians present 11 ingenious and intimate programs that span canonical classics and vital new works.
Spoleto Festival USA Chorus + Orchestra: The Creation
Date: June 3
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
The Festival Chorus and Orchestra unite for a jubilant performance of Joseph Haydn’s 1798 oratorio The Creation, chronicling the biblical creation of Eden.
Spoleto Festival USA Chorus
Date: May 31, June 6, 7
Venue: Various
Gifted vocal fellows from across the nation gather in a historic Charleston sanctuary for two highly anticipated programs of sacred and secular works.
Mahler’s Fifth
Date: June 1
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
Under the baton of new Music Director Timothy Myers, the Festival Orchestra tackles Mahler’s epic Symphony No. 5 and a world premiere cello concerto by composer Nathalie Joachim with guest soloist Seth Parker Woods.
Beethoven’s Third
Date: June 5
Venue: Charleston Gaillard Center
On a stirring program, the Festival Orchestra performs Beethoven’s “Heroic” symphony, Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with soloist Inon Barnatan, and Reena Esmail’s Testament.
Elisa Harkins: Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ
Date: June 3, 4
Venue: Charleston Music Hall
Visual artist and composer Elisa Harkins presents an innovative work of Indigenous Futurism, a blend of electronic dance tracks, Indigenous music, and vocals in a performance both dreamy and intense.
Terri Lyne Carrington New Standards with Special Guest Dianne Reeves
Date: May 26
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
The acclaimed drummer and renowned vocalist unite for a rich selection of works by female jazz composers spanning eras, geographical borders, and genres—from blues to bebop and beyond.
Layale Chaker + Sarafand
Date: May 27, 28
Venue: Charleston Music Hall
Layale Chaker and her ensemble perform a beguiling blend of classical, contemporary music, jazz, Arabic maqam scales, and improvisation.
Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet
Date: May 31
Venue: College of Charleston Sottile Theatre
The legendary bandleader returns to Spoleto at the helm of a remarkable ensemble, including pianist and MacArthur fellow Jason Moran, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Brian Blade.
Lowcountry: South Carolina Music in the Gullah Tradition
Date: June 2
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
In a celebration of Gullah history and musical heritage, 20-plus South Carolina artists join drummer Quentin Baxter, trumpeter Matt White, and saxophonist Chris Potter for a musical fusion of jazz and praise house melodies.
El Arte del Bolero: Miguel Zenón / Luis Perdomo Duo
Date: June 6–8
Venue: Dock Street Theatre
Reimagining beloved boleros as sensuous jazz ballads, saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo share their Grammy-nominated album in five intimate engagements.
Pedrito Martinez: Echoes of Africa
Date: June 7
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
The Grammy-nominated conguero and batá drum phenom Pedrito Martinez returns with an expanded band, vocalists, and dancers for a performance of Afro-Cuban rhythms and cutting-edge dance music.
Old Crow Medicine Show
Date: May 24, 25
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
Grammy-winning Americana/roots/string band Old Crow Medicine Show rocks opening weekend with hits including “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top country singles of all time.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Date: May 27
Venue: TD Arena at College of Charleston
Jazz icon Trombone Shorty and his legendary ensemble Orleans Avenue takes to the Cistern stage with a high-octane performance that blends New Orleans sound with rock, funk, and hip-hop.
Amos Lee
Date: May 28
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
Billboard chart-topping singer-songwriter Amos Lee unfolds his folk, rock, and soulful influences in a solo acoustic performance under the stars.
Brandy Clark
Date: June 1
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
Already one of the most successful songwriters in country music, this year’s Grammy Award winner for Best Americana Performance has emerged as an acclaimed solo artist with her latest album landing on a slew of “Best Of” lists.
Watchhouse
Date: June 5
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
Watchhouse, the bold and poetic Appalachian-steeped folk duo, bring their reinvented sound at the edge of experimental folk-rock to the Cistern Yard.
Aoife O’Donovan with members of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra
Date: June 7
Venue: College of Charleston Sottile Theatre
The lauded singer-songwriter joins the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra to perform selections from her 2024 album All My Friends, inspired by letters and speeches of the suffragist movement.
Jason Isbell
Date: June 8, 9
Venue: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
Grammy Award-winning rock and roll icon Jason Isbell lights up the Cistern Yard for back-to-back rare acoustic performances.
Opening Ceremony
Date: May 24
Venue: Charleston City Hall
Spoleto and the Charleston community unite to open the 48th Spoleto Festival USA at this public event.
Tell Your Story
Date: May 22
Venue: Festival Hall
Four Festival Orchestra fellows pair with Charleston-based entrepreneurs, artists, and activists to create aural memoirs—works of creative placemaking distinct to the South Carolina Lowcountry and to this moment.
Conversations With
Date: May 25, 26, June 1, 4
Venue: Various
Emmy Award-winning CBS News correspondent Martha Teichner hosts riveting, intimate conversations with the artists and companies of Spoleto Festival USA, illuminating the creative process and delving into the stories that form the 2024 productions.
Jazz Talks
Date: May 27, June 7
Venue: Various
Spoleto Festival USA’s Jazz Curator Larry Blumenfeld speaks with artists from the 2024 Wells Fargo Jazz Series.
Opening Gala
Date: May 23
Kick off the 2024 Festival in high style at Spoleto’s Opening Gala—your chance to mix and mingle with some of this season’s extraordinary talent.