Phrases › At the Theatre and Opera › Quando si applaude?

Quando si applaude?

When do you applaud?

Pronunciation

KWAN-doh see ah-PLOW-deh.

When to use it

Ask a knowledgeable companion or theatre staff before the performance. Opera has specific conventions around when to applaud that differ from other performing arts.

What it means

Quando means when. Si applaude is the impersonal form of applaudire — 'one applauds' or 'you applaud'. Understanding Italian opera applause conventions helps you participate correctly and avoid embarrassment.

Variations

Si può applaudire durante l'opera?

Can you applaud during the opera?

Yes, after arias and ensembles — it is traditional.

Cosa significa 'bravo'?

What does 'bravo' mean?

For a single male singer — bravi for multiple, brava for a woman.

È maleducato fischiare?

Is it rude to boo?

Booing (fischiare) is actually a legitimate opera-house tradition in Italy.

Mini Dialogue

— Quando si applaude? — Dopo ogni aria importante o duetto. Se il cantante è eccezionale, l'applauso parte subito alla fine della nota. — E si grida 'bravo'? — Sì: 'bravo' per un uomo, 'brava' per una donna, 'bravi' per tutti insieme. — Capito. E se è brutto? — In Italia si fischia — è parte della tradizione.

— When do you applaud? — After every important aria or duet. If the singer is exceptional, applause starts immediately at the end of the final note. — And you shout 'bravo'? — Yes: 'bravo' for a man, 'brava' for a woman, 'bravi' for everyone together. — Understood. And if they are bad? — In Italy you boo — it is part of the tradition.

Cultural Note

Italian opera audiences are considered among the most knowledgeable and demanding in the world. The practice of applauding after arias mid-performance is expected — silence would actually confuse Italian audiences. Singers sometimes repeat (bisare) a particularly successful aria.

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