From Italian words meaning "first
woman" or "first lady", depending on your preference, the prima donna is the leading lady in a performance, and especially in opera. Can also be called a
diva.
Is now often used to describe someone arrogant, vain, or just plain bitchy.
Diva and prima donna have become synonomous with a show-off or a bitch, regardless of whether or not the person in question is male or female.
Maria Callas was one of the great dive (DEE-vay) of the twentieth century. A coloratura-spinto soprano, she was determined to be the best of the best on the stage, often singing outside of her natural singing range, which eventually ruined her voice and led to her downfall. This Greek
diva was known to give tantrums offstage. Still, her strong, metallic, if not angelic, singing and good sense of high drama enabled her to become a stellar actress and singer.
Fans claim that she was feuding with fellow soprano, the Italian spinto-
lyric soprano, Renata Tebaldi, despite the strong friendship between the
two singers.
Did you see that?!
Charlotte pushed me off the stage and grabbed the spotlight for herself! What a prima donna!