Images(4)

Costume, Dance

Object number2016.32.5 a-c

Date1985-2005

MediumFabric/Plastic/Metal

Credit LineGift of Mary Ferro

DescriptionI Campagnoli Sorrento dance costume comprised of a purple skirt, lavender headpiece, and lavendar apron. Skirt. Purple fabric skirt with one light purple satin stripe and one green satin stripe around bottom of skirt. Zipper along waist opening with one metal snap at top. Pleats all around skirt under waistband. Headpiece. Lavender eyelet lace fabric in floral pattern. Rectangular with pointed bottom edge. Fabric is folded under on underside. Brown plastic hair comb sewn on underside. Apron. Lavender eyelet lace fabric in floral pattern. Rounded apron with strap extensions at waist. Pleats at top two corners of apron.Dimensions(a) Width at waist 16.25, Width at bottom 55.5, Length 27.25;
(b) Width 8, Length 20.125;
(c) Height 17.75, Width 20.25, Length of straps 67.5.
Historical NotesThe I Campagnoli Sorrento costume is comprised of a purple skirt with green and purple stripes around bottom, short sleeve white blouse with eyelet trim, black vest, lavender headpiece, and the dance shoes. The original black vest would have had holes down the front opening with ribbon/string strung through the holes in a criss-cross design. Missing from this costume is a lavender fabric apron in a u-shape that was made from the same material as the headpiece. Part of the I Campagnoli costume collection. This collection of costumes belonged to Mary Ferro, a lifetime member and former co-director, of the Italian folk and dance troupe I Campagnoli. Sponsored by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America in the early 1960s, I Campagnoli was first directed by Professor Lorenzo Malfatti and Eugene Ricotti (later Richards). Initially, members were primarily Italian immigrants. I Campagnoli met weekly and learned a wide range of Italian folk music collected by Malfatti; members also learned corresponding dances. The music was primarily in Italian dialect from various regions of Italy. In the late 1960s, the donor's mother, Jane Ferro, took over as director for I Campagnoli. She organized their participation in various folk festivals in the United States, in addition to the opening of the Italian section of Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park. Ferro also brought I Campagnoli to Italy where they performed in cities such as Lucca, Rome, and Venice. In this collection of costumes, each costume worn by I Campagnoli members was handmade by female members of the ISDA to reflect the region the music and dances belonged to. In general, blues, greens, and purples would be worn by northerners while brighter reds, greens, and maroons were worn by southerners. Those who lived closer to the sea would be found wearing various shades of blue. In addition to color, the headdress distinguished the region from which the costume originated. Also, aprons were the most decorated part of the costume as designs and trimmings were hand-woven into the fabric.

Previous owner Mary Ferro

Related institution I Campagnoli

Related institution Italian Sons and Daughters of America

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view