Divas

Hi Puzzlers,

I have been noticing the term Diva everywhere. Sometimes the term is used as a good reference and increasingly it is not. To be truthful the negative references got my feministic side going. Why, oh why, does a woman always seem to have a name associated with a behavior? Do we call tantrum throwing men Divo’s? I didn’t even have to make that word up! Divo, in Italian, is the male version of diva. It refers to prominent male tenors. Oh, wait! I have inspired myself! Divo’s can be the title of our next all male entertainer puzzle!!! Ah, venting. It gets the creativity going! Now back to our topic…

A diva by today’s definition is a famous female singer and or actress. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna". Prima donna is also Italian for “first lady” or a leading lady that gets all the best parts.

The earliest references of divas were found in popular English literature dating back before 1505. During the 1880s most of the popular operatic prima donnas would have been considered divas. These women clearly had some serious singing skills and talent to be held in such high regard. Some of the most famous operatic divas include: Maria Callas, Nellie Melba, Renee Fleming, Leotyne Price, and Joan Sutherland. It amazes me to think the term diva originated in opera. Most people today would not even think to consider an opera star a diva.

As time passed the term began to include other musical genres. A diva receives admiration not only for their talent but for their performances, looks, style and grace. Diva experts say, “Some people associate large amounts of artistic talent with short tempers and difficult personalities, and this probably explains why the word “diva” is used to describe women who are difficult to deal with. Many actual divas are in fact known for their gentle, generous, courteous personalities, as these women are far too busy with their professional careers to be petty or hard to handle.”

And so, as my Mother always says, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Or, was that stick and stones may break my bones…?

Happy Puzzling!