Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 8, 1990 TAG: 9006080276
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT DUNCAN THE BALTIMORE EVENING SUN
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
In Charleston's historic section - a peninsula graced with stately antebellum mansions turned sideways to let the ocean breezes cool their piazzas, which Charlestonians call their veranda-like porches - one would hardly know Hugo had paid a visit.
Much more troubling, especially to the Spoleto arts festival staff and its artistic director, Gian Carlo Menotti, is the Joffrey Ballet's turmoil and the Lenny and Kitty crisis.
Leonard Bernstein and Kitty Carlisle Hart both canceled here at the last minute, sending Spoleto officials into a frenzy.
Bernstein was scheduled to conduct the opening gala concert, which suddenly had to be scrapped and reorganized around soprano Tatiana Troyanos and the violinist Midori.
No one is exactly sure what Kitty Carlisle was supposed to do.
Meanwhile, the power struggle between the Joffrey Ballet's board of directors and its artistic director, Gerald Arpino, now moves to Spoleto.
In the last episode of this war of nerves, the Joffrey board voted to cancel the company's Spoleto appearances here this week, "a move that was greeted with rage by the Spoleto board" exclaimed a Spoleto press release.
Not to worry, the Philip Morris Companies Inc. and a local foundation kicked in some extra money, and the Joffrey, which is saddled with a reported $2 million debt, will perform after all.
Menotti announced that Arpino will fly to Charleston before the company arrives to meet with the press.
Arts intrigue. Where would a festival be without it?
by CNB