SPOLETO FESTIVAL U.S.A. ANNOUNCES PLANS

The 13th annual Spoleto Festival U.S.A. opens May 26 in Charleston, S.C., with a schedule that includes new productions of operas by Mozart and Bellini; a new work by performance artist Laurie Anderson; and an appearance by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Dance events include a new work by choreographer Graciela Daniele and composer Astor Piazzolla, May 27-29; outdoor dance by choreographer Trisha Brown, June 9-10; and indoor dance by the Boston Ballet, June 2 and 4.

Gian Carlo Menotti, the festival's founder and artistic director, will direct a new production of Mozart's ``The Marriage of Figaro,'' sung in Italian. It will be staged in the chamber-size, 463-seat Dock Street Theater, May 27 and 29, and June 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10.

Opening the festival will be Bellini's ``The Stranger,'' with soprano Carol Neblett in the title role. Pet Halmen will direct and design the new production, and Bruno Moretti will conduct. It will be performed at the larger Gaillard Municipal Auditorium May 26 and 29, and June 3 and 9.

Among theater events is a return of Milan's Colla Family Marionettes, featuring more than 400 hand-carved puppets. The troupe, which appeared at the 1987 festival, is bringing new productions of ``Christopher Columbus'' (May 27-30) and ``Pocahontas'' (June 2-6).

Dozens of concerts are scheduled for Charleston's historic churches, several theaters, and some outdoor venues.

The festival will continue through June 11.