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soberano (in this context)

English translation: (but) they call the tune / they're in charge

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:soberano (in this context)
English translation:(but) they call the tune / they're in charge
Entered by: Charles Davis

20:13 Jul 15, 2013
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Music
Spanish term or phrase: soberano (in this context)
Hi everyone,

This is taken from an interview with a dramatic performer who works in a popular, cabaret-style Spanish nightspot:

Interviewer: ¿El elenco de artistas en el 'club ABC' siempre es el mismo o varía cada año?

Interviewee: Casi siempre se quedan las personas que el director ve conveniente.

Interviewer: ¿Cómo es el público del 'club ABC'? ¿Receptivo? ¿Difícil?

Interviewee: Yo lo veo un público receptivo, pero soberano.
Él tiene el derecho a elegir, y además así se plantea, porque no se termina de cocer un número hasta que no se ve la respuesta que recibe.

Does 'soberano' here convey the idea that the audience members are independent, and free to make up their own minds about the show?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Jack
Jack Ward
(but) they call the tune / they're in charge
Explanation:
I think "soberano", applied to an audience, means this: they're the boss. The audience is king. You can actually say the audience is sovereign. Look at all these results:
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="audience is king"&oq...
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="audience is sovereig...

I wouldn't use those here, though "they're king" is a possibility. But rather than independent (not influenced by the views of others), I think the idea is that that they hold and exercise supreme power.

I would be rather inclined to say "they call the tune", as in the saying "he who pays the piper calls the tune", as it is a set phrase with the right meaning but also carries an element of wordplay: if the audience doesn't like a tune, they don't play/sing it.

Here's a reference which points towards the meaning I'm suggesting:

"El público soberano
No debería asombrarnos que el público mande. Ha ocurrido siempre aunque no con la rapidez y el alcance de la actualidad. Primero fueron los emperadores en el circo. Los espectadores, con sus aplausos y gritos, salvaban la vida de los gladiadores [...]"
http://lector.kioskoymas.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 21:18
Grading comment
What an inspired answer. Thanks so much, Charles.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5(but) they call the tune / they're in charge
Charles Davis
4 +1independent-minded
George Rabel
4 +1knows what's what / fussy / demanding
Noni Gilbert Riley


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
independent-minded


Explanation:
They will not react kindly to performances that fall below their expectations

George Rabel
Local time: 15:18
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 36

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ronaldo Bassini
20 mins
  -> Muchas gracias
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

39 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
(but) they call the tune / they're in charge


Explanation:
I think "soberano", applied to an audience, means this: they're the boss. The audience is king. You can actually say the audience is sovereign. Look at all these results:
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="audience is king"&oq...
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="audience is sovereig...

I wouldn't use those here, though "they're king" is a possibility. But rather than independent (not influenced by the views of others), I think the idea is that that they hold and exercise supreme power.

I would be rather inclined to say "they call the tune", as in the saying "he who pays the piper calls the tune", as it is a set phrase with the right meaning but also carries an element of wordplay: if the audience doesn't like a tune, they don't play/sing it.

Here's a reference which points towards the meaning I'm suggesting:

"El público soberano
No debería asombrarnos que el público mande. Ha ocurrido siempre aunque no con la rapidez y el alcance de la actualidad. Primero fueron los emperadores en el circo. Los espectadores, con sus aplausos y gritos, salvaban la vida de los gladiadores [...]"
http://lector.kioskoymas.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 21:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 220
Grading comment
What an inspired answer. Thanks so much, Charles.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sandro Tomasi: Also: in the driver's seat, in command, in control, dictate, hold the reins, rule the roost, run the show.
8 mins
  -> That should cover it! Thanks, Sandro :)
agree  James A. Walsh: I really like "call the tune" - perfect for the context! ;-)
36 mins
  -> Thanks a lot, James!
agree  Zilin Cui
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, Mafalda :)
agree  Gordon Byron: This works nicely
11 hrs
  -> Many thanks!
agree  Noni Gilbert Riley
2 days 9 hrs
  -> Thanks, Noni!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

39 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
knows what's what / fussy / demanding


Explanation:
An audience of capable recognising quality when they see it, not ready to put up with any old performance.

They may even be rather demanding, not just knowledgeable but also not willing to take underpar performances.

Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 21:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 60

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nedra Rivera Huntington: I like "demanding."
2 days 5 hrs
  -> Thanks Nedra
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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