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PhrasesAt the Theatre and OperaFate anche teatro di prosa?
B1

Fate anche teatro di prosa?

Do you also perform spoken theatre?

Pronunciation

FA-teh AN-keh TEH-ah-troh dee PROH-zah.

When to use it

When asking a theatre that specialises in opera whether it also stages spoken plays. Italy has a rich tradition of both opera and dramatic theatre.

What it means

Fate is the second-person plural of fare (to do/to perform). Anche means also. Teatro di prosa means spoken theatre or dramatic theatre — as distinct from musical theatre or opera. Prosa means prose, distinguishing spoken words from sung ones.

Variations

C'è un teatro di prosa in città?

Is there a spoken theatre in the city?

Asking for a dedicated spoken theatre venue.

Qual è la differenza tra lirica e prosa?

What is the difference between opera and spoken theatre?

For someone unfamiliar with the distinction.

Rappresentate anche commedie?

Do you also perform comedies?

Asking specifically about comic plays.

Mini Dialogue

— Fate anche teatro di prosa? — No, questo è un teatro lirico. Per la prosa, il teatro più vicino è il Teatro Stabile. — Sta montando qualcosa di interessante? — Credo stiano facendo Shakespeare in italiano questa stagione. — Interessante. Grazie.

— Do you also perform spoken theatre? — No, this is an opera house. For spoken theatre, the nearest theatre is the Teatro Stabile. — Are they putting on anything interesting? — I believe they are doing Shakespeare in Italian this season. — Interesting. Thank you.

Cultural Note

Italy has a network of 'Teatri Stabili' (established theatres) in major cities that specialise in spoken drama. Rome's Teatro Argentina, where the premiere of Rossini's Barber of Seville was catastrophically booed in 1816, is one of Italy's most historic spoken theatre venues.