Prima donna
In opera or commedia dell'arte, a prima donna is the leading female 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. Because of this, the term has spread in contemporary usage, from its original usage in opera to referring to anyone behaving in a demanding or temperamental fashion or having an inflated view of oneself.
The prima donna in opera was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano. The corresponding term for the male lead is primo uomo.
Opera
In 19th century Italy, the leading woman in an opera or commedia dell'arte 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 sing 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 is occasionally applied to a prima donna of outstanding excellence. It has also been used to describe the creators of heroic coloratura roles in the first half of the 19th century.
The woman 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.