Who is conducting the orchestra tonight?
kee dee-REE-jeh lor-KES-trah sta-ZEH-rah.
Serious opera-goers care about the conductor as much as the singers. The conductor shapes the tempo, dynamics, and overall interpretation of the opera.
Chi dirige means who conducts (literally 'who directs'). Il direttore d'orchestra is the conductor. Stasera means tonight. Dirigere is the verb used for conducting in Italian — the same verb as to direct in other contexts.
È il direttore musicale del teatro?
Is he the musical director of the theatre?
The musical director is the permanent chief conductor.
Ha una bacchetta energica?
Does he have an energetic baton?
La bacchetta is the conductor's baton; energica means lively.
È italiano il direttore?
Is the conductor Italian?
Asking about nationality, which matters to Italian audiences.
Riccardo Muti is Italy's most celebrated living conductor, and his long association with La Scala (he was Music Director from 1986 to 2005) is legendary. He resigned in 2005 after a dispute with theatre management — his departure was mourned by Italian opera lovers as a national tragedy.