Is there ballet or opera this evening?
KWES-tah SEH-rah cheh bal-LET-toh oh OH-peh-rah.
When you know a major theatre is performing but are unsure of the type of show. Italian theatres typically alternate between opera, ballet, and concerts.
Questa sera means this evening. C'è means there is (question form). Balletto is ballet. Opera is opera — both words are cognates with English and recognisable. The question structure is simply c'è + noun + o + noun.
C'è un concerto sinfonico stasera?
Is there a symphonic concert tonight?
Asking about orchestral concerts at the opera house.
Fanno teatro di prosa o lirica?
Do they perform spoken theatre or opera?
Distinguishing between spoken plays and opera.
È una produzione nuova o una ripresa?
Is it a new production or a revival?
Distinguishing a new staging from an existing one.
Italy's major opera houses all maintain their own resident ballet companies. La Scala's ballet company (Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala) is one of the world's most prestigious. Rudolf Nureyev served as its director from 1974 to 1989.