![PRIMA DONNA (Ship) (c112-02-14)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/PRIMA_DONNA_%28Ship%29_%28c112-02-14%29.jpg)
In
opera
Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...
or
commedia dell'arte
(; ; ) was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is also known as , , and . Charact ...
, a prima donna (;
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
for "first lady"; plural: ''prime donne'') is the leading
female
Female (Venus symbol, symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ovum, ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the Sperm, male gamete during sexual reproduction.
A female has larger gamet ...
singer in the company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given.
''Prime donne'' often had grand off-stage personalities and were seen as demanding of their colleagues. From its original usage in
opera
Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...
, the term has spread in contemporary usage to refer to anyone behaving in a demanding or temperamental fashion, or having an inflated view of oneself and a self-centered attitude.
The prima donna in opera was normally, but not necessarily, a
soprano
A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...
. The corresponding term for the male lead (usually a
castrato
A castrato (Italian, plural: ''castrati'') is a type of classical male singing voice equivalent to that of a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto. The voice is produced by castration of the singer before puberty, or it occurs in one who, due to ...
in the 17th and 18th centuries, later a
tenor
A tenor is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The lo ...
) is primo uomo.
[H. Rosenthal, H. and J. Warrack, ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera'', 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, 1979. p. 398. ]
Opera
![Nita Carritte, Musical Courier, 27 July 1895](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Nita_Carritte%2C_Musical_Courier%2C_27_July_1895.png)
In 19th-century
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, the leading woman in an opera or
commedia dell'arte
(; ; ) was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is also known as , , and . Charact ...
company was known as the ''prima donna'', literally the "first lady". This woman, usually the principal soprano of the company, would typically perform leading roles, and generally sang more music than other women in the company.
Famous opera prime donne have often caused opera enthusiasts to divide into opposing "clubs" supporting one singer over another. The rivalry between the fans of
Maria Callas and
Renata Tebaldi, for example, was one of the most famous, despite the friendship of the two singers.
The designation ''prima donna assoluta'' (absolute first lady) is occasionally applied to a prima donna of outstanding excellence. It has also been used to describe the creators of heroic
coloratura
Coloratura is an elaborate melody with runs, trills, wide leaps, or similar virtuoso-like material,''Oxford American Dictionaries''.Apel (1969), p. 184. or a passage of such music. Operatic roles in which such music plays a prominent part, an ...
roles in the first half of the 19th century.
The female who sang the second major part in an opera was, correspondingly, referred to as the ''seconda donna''; by the late 18th century, this role was sometimes called the ''altra prima donna''.
Personality
At times, these ''prime donne'' (the Italian plural form) were grand with their off-stage personalities and demands on fellow troupe members, musicians, set and wardrobe designers, producers and other staff, but were deferentially tolerated because of their consummate talent and their draw at the box office. From this experience, the term ''prima donna'' has come into common usage in any field denoting someone who behaves in a demanding, often temperamental fashion, revealing an inflated view of themselves, their talent, and their importance. Due to this association, the contemporary meaning of the word has taken on this negative connotation of a
vain
Vain may refer to:
* Vain (horse) (1966–1991), a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse
* Vain Stakes, an Australian Thoroughbred horse race
* Vain (band), a glam metal band formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986
* Vaginal intraepithe ...
, undisciplined,
egotistical
Egotism is defined as the drive to maintain and enhance favorable views of oneself and generally features an inflated opinion of one's personal features and importance distinguished by a person's amplified vision of one's self and self-importan ...
, obnoxious or temperamental person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team, but whose contributions are essential to the success of the team.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster, Inc. is an American company that publishes reference books and is especially known for its dictionaries. It is the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States.
In 1831, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as ...
"prima donna"
Merriam-Webster.com.
See also
*
Convenienze
*
Diva
Diva (; ) is the Latin word for a goddess. It has often been used to refer to a celebrated woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema, fashion and popular music. If referring to an actress, the meaning of ''diva'' is cl ...
*
Entitlement
An entitlement is a provision made in accordance with a legal framework of a society. Typically, entitlements are based on concepts of principle ("rights") which are themselves based in concepts of social equality or enfranchisement.
In psycholo ...
References
Further reading
*
Rupert Christiansen Rupert Christiansen (born 1954) is an English writer, journalist and critic.
Life and career
Born in London, Christiansen is the grandson of Arthur Christiansen (former editor of the '' Daily Express'') and son of Kay and Michael Christiansen (for ...
, ''Prima Donna: A History'', Viking, 1985.
{{Authority control
Italian opera terminology
Commedia dell'arte
Women singers
Narcissism