Italian films long have long been known for their lush, evocative musical scores. Almost inseparable from the films, they enhance the storytelling with a romanticism and vigor not often seen elsewhere. The Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival has partnered with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra to bring that music to a live concert setting.

On Feb. 22 at the Charleston Music Hall following a red carpet cocktail party, the CSO will perform some of the most iconic music from Italian cinema while scenes from those films play on stage. Yuriy Bekker will be at the podium conducting. He has led the CSO as concertmaster since 2007 and now serves as the group’s Principle Pops Conductor.