Can I say bravo to a female performer?

Question

Everywhere in the world after a successful performance like a live music show or theater play, you can hear audience yelling "Bravo!" to the performers regardless of their gender or number. Is this also true in Italy? Given the existence of the distinguished feminine form "brava", wouldn't it sound queer or even impolite to a female Italian performer if I say bravo to her, especially if she doesn't know that I'm not a native speaker?

Answer 1

It is true that "bravo" is internationally used to express a compliment for a performer, regardless of his/her gender, but that does not apply within an Italian frame. In Italian "bravo" must agree with gender and number, like every other adjective.