The Spoleto Festival USA has announced its 2019 season, which will feature one major opera production, among other performances.

The festival will open with a production of Strauss’ “Salome.” The famed opera will be directed by Patrice Caurier and Mosh Leiser, with the intention of setting the work in a present-day city. It will be the duo’s ninth year with the festival; they previously did a production of “Salome” in 1987, which was also their first production at the festival. Steven Sloan conducts a cast that includes Paul Groves as Herod, Kostas Smoriginas as Johanaan and Melanie Henley Heyn in the title role.

Performance Dates: May 24, 30; June 2, 5 (2019)

Another major vocal highlight of the festival will be a performance of Bach’s “St. John Passion,” which will be conducted by Joe Miller and will feature the Westminster Choir, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra. The choir will also feature two additional concerts on June 1 and 7.

Performance Dates: June 4, 2019

There will also be a wide range of other performance art showcases, artists talks, and masterclasses.