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PhrasesAt the Theatre and OperaLa prego di abbassare la voce.
B1formal

La prego di abbassare la voce.

Please lower your voice.

Pronunciation

la PREH-goh dee ab-bas-SA-reh la VOH-cheh.

When to use it

When a fellow audience member is talking too loudly during the performance. Italian theatre etiquette is strict — the formal register here signals seriousness.

What it means

La prego is the very polite formal 'I beg you' or 'please', using the formal lei form. Di abbassare means to lower. La voce means the voice. This phrase is polite but firm — more forceful than just saying 'shhh'.

Variations

Silenzio, per favore.

Silence, please.

Direct and clear, less formal but effective.

Per cortesia, si può stare in silenzio?

Please, could you be quiet?

Polite question form.

Sta disturbando gli altri spettatori.

You are disturbing the other audience members.

More assertive — states the effect of the behaviour.

Mini Dialogue

— [sussurrato] La prego di abbassare la voce. — Oh, mi scusi, non mi rendevo conto. — Grazie. È un momento molto importante dell'opera. — Ha ragione, mi scuso.

— [whispered] Please lower your voice. — Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise. — Thank you. It is a very important moment in the opera. — You are right, I apologise.

Cultural Note

Italian opera audiences are generally knowledgeable and respectful, but they can also be very vocal in their enthusiasm. Talking during the music is considered very rude (maleducato). The loggionisti, however, famously shout 'bravo' during and after arias — a traditional form of audience participation.