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PhrasesAt the Theatre and OperaCi sono posti in prima fila?
A2

Ci sono posti in prima fila?

Are there seats in the front row?

Pronunciation

chee SO-noh POS-tee een PREE-mah FEE-lah.

When to use it

When you want to sit very close to the stage for the full theatrical experience. In opera, however, the front row is not necessarily the best acoustically.

What it means

Ci sono means there are (question: are there). Posti in prima fila means seats in the front row. Prima is the ordinal first, fila is row. Opera houses typically designate seats by section (platea, palchi, loggione) and then by row.

Variations

La prima fila è la più cara?

Is the front row the most expensive?

Not always — centre stalls mid-row may cost more.

Preferirei stare in mezzo, non troppo vicino.

I would prefer to be in the middle, not too close.

Expressing a preference for a middle position.

C'è qualcosa di disponibile in platea?

Is there anything available in the stalls?

General request for stalls availability.

Mini Dialogue

— Ci sono posti in prima fila? — Sì, ma sono solo agli angoli. I posti centrali in terza fila sono liberi. — È meglio la terza fila? — Per la visuale e l'acustica, sì — molto meglio. — Allora terza fila, per favore.

— Are there seats in the front row? — Yes, but only at the sides. The central seats in the third row are available. — Is the third row better? — For the view and acoustics, yes — much better. — Then third row, please.

Cultural Note

The ideal seat in an Italian opera house is generally considered to be in the centre of the stalls (platea centrale) around rows five to ten, or in a first-tier box (primo ordine di palchi) facing the stage directly. Avoid side seats in upper tiers which often have partially obstructed views.