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Inspired by a Cornell summer course in Rome developed by Concert Director Byron Suber, this year's dance concert at the Cornell Schwartz Center is a nod to the great films, architecture and culture that stem from this classical city. Titled "Spoglia," derived from the verb spogliare, which in Italian means "to strip," this original work focuses on how Romans stripped elements from antiquity and incorporated them into Renaissance architecture as well as looks at urban space as performance. Spoglia: Dance Concert 2008 will be performed March 6-9.

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"While spending time in Italy as scholars, artists and tourists, you're constantly questioning your identity in relation to your surroundings," said Suber. "How can Americans relate to the legacy of classicism when we are so far removed from it?"

In Spoglia Suber and fellow choreographer Jumay Chu create a visual, musical and choreographic ambiance that both mourns and celebrates American and European ideas of beauty and culture. In Ithaca, Suber re-shot several well known scenes from Italian films such as La Dolce Vita and Mamma Roma. The films studied in the summer program that subsequently inspired the choreography are all films that use Rome as a location. Suber's appropriation of these films works towards a "sometimes beautiful, sometimes comic effect."

The performance also juxtaposes Italian and American classical music with live performances by violinist Max Buckholtz and collatura soprano Sharon Costianes. In addition, local popular musicians Jennie Stearns and Mary Lorson will be performing live in the concert -- playing their own music as well as the folk/rock melodies of Graham Parsons and The Roaches.

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Over 18 dancers will be performing on stage, with literal and abstract choreography extrapolated from the films and from architectural sites throughout Rome that were studied during the summer program.

Spoglia's set, designed by Christa Seekatz, runs the gamut from antiquity to modernity and takes inspiration from a building built by Mussolini's architect for the 1942 World's Fair. Other designers include student Joanne Kwan (lights), Richard MacPike (costumes), and Warren Cross (sound).

After premiering at the Schwartz Center, Spoglia will commence on a US and European tour that will start with a site specific performance on March 21 in New Orleans. Although based on the Schwartz Center performance, the New Orleans performance will be inspired by the neighborhood around St. Roch Market, Faubourg St. Roch. Suber and his students are helping draw attention to revitalization efforts in this historic neighborhood hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. Spoglia will then continue on to Chez Bushwick in NYC (a dance organization formed by Ithaca native Jonah Bokaer), followed by several performances in Dublin, Paris and Rome alongside the summer program.

Evening performances of Spoglia are March 6-8 at 7:30 PM. One matinee will be offered at 2 pm on March 9. Post-show discussions will be held following each performance.

Stills from the movies debuting at Spoglia: Videography by Byron Suber

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