MUSIC

Spoleto Spat: Composer Gian Carlo Menotti, founder of the Spoleto Festival U.S.A., has threatened to quit as artistic director for the second time in less than a year, contending his authority has been undermined. Menotti told the festival board that the general manager and some board members are trying to push him out of the opera-dance-theater event he started 15 years ago in Charleston, S.C. “I have no intention of retiring or letting myself be kicked upstairs or be made (artistic director) emeritus,” said Menotti, who turns 80 in July. “If this festival doesn’t need me, I certainly don’t need this festival.” The event opened Friday and runs through June 9.