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, but not necessarily, a soprano.
Legendarily, these "prima donnas" were often regarded as egotistical, unreasonable and irritable, with a rather high opinion of themselves, not shared by others. Although whether they are truly vainer or more hot-tempered than other singers (or than any other people in the opera houses) is highly debatable, nowadays the term often signifies a vain and temperamental person who, although irritating, cannot be done without.
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.
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.
2006-10-13 08:48:08
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The Prima Donna ("first lady") is the leading female singer in an opera. Because so many of these ladies have tended to be temperamental and throw their weight about, the expression has become bound up with the idea of being fussy, hysterical and making scenes. If the term is applied to an ordinary individual, then it is an indication that the person in question has been making an unnecessary fuss.
2006-10-13 08:56:40
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answer #2
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answered by Doethineb 7
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Prima Donna is Italian and means first woman. This has generally come to mean a leading lady who is rather demanding (Callas for example).
2006-10-13 20:35:55
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answer #3
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answered by Jen_Greebo 3
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A prima donna is the "first lady" or most important female part in an opera or play
2006-10-13 08:45:20
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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It's Prima Donna. And it means First Lady.
2006-10-13 08:45:00
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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prima donna - a vain and temperamental person
and
prima donna - a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star
2006-10-13 08:50:25
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answer #6
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answered by t11omo 3
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lol.. you stupid tom cat!!... many men have challenge with anti-virgins whining on approximately their sexual fantasies on the air*waves .. fairly whilst thy declare to be Vegans.. or vegetarians .or in spite of its referred to as~~
2016-10-19 08:20:53
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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It's "Pre Madonna" and it means "before 'Like a Virgin'"
2006-10-13 08:49:38
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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