Despite Economy, Spoleto Festival Sales Brisk

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - The Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston reports record-setting initial ticket sales, despite a troubled economy.

Tickets went on sale this week and in the first five days, 160,000 dollars worth of tickets sold. That’s 17 percent more than the same period in 2006 when Spoleto set a box office record.

Festival General Director Nigel Redden said Friday the festival has a long way to go but the early momentum is reassuring.

The internationally known arts festival will be staged from May 22nd through June 7th.

Highlights include a new production of Gustave Charpentier’s seldom-staged opera “Louise.“ The festival also features tributes to longtime chamber music director Charles Wadsworth and an operetta inspired by movie actor Peter Lorre.