Prima donna

Originally used in opera companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally a soprano.

Related Topics:
Opera - Italian - Female - Singer - Soprano

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Legendarily, these "prima donnas" were often egotistical, unreasonable and irritable, with a rather high opinion of themselves not shared by others. Thus the modern use of the term to mean a vain and temperamental person who, although irritating, cannot be done without.

Related Topics:
Egotistical - Irritable - Opinion - Vain

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Now that opera companies (with a fixed cast) are a thing of the past, the term prima donna has almost become a synonym of diva and is used to designate popular female opera singers, especially sopranos. Famous prima donnas have often caused opera enthusiasts to divide into opposing "clubs" supporting one singer over another. The rivalry between the respective fans of Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi, for example, was one of the most famous of all opera, despite the friendship of the two singers.

Related Topics:
Diva - Maria Callas - Renata Tebaldi

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The term "prima donna" is also the title of a song in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, "The Phantom of the Opera". It refers to the ill-tempered character, Carlotta Giudicelli.

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