Prima donna
The leading female singer of an opera.
What it means
Prima donna literally means first lady and designates the singer of an opera's leading female role. The expression comes from Italian operatic practice, in which the cast was ordered by rank: alongside the prima donna there was the seconda donna for the second female role and, correspondingly, the primo uomo for the leading male part. The order of rank was not only a question of standing but had contractual and musical consequences.
Musical use
From this system, peculiarities of the operas of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are explained. The number and kind of arias were distributed by rank, and composers had to tailor them to the abilities of the respective singer, which included changes from performance to performance. The placement of the great entrance aria and the closing number likewise followed such conventions. For performance practice this means: many scores exist in several versions, and inserted arias are historically grounded. In everyday usage the expression has taken on a derogatory secondary meaning that has nothing to do with the original function. Its male counterpart is called primo uomo; in the eighteenth century this was usually a castrato.
Performance practice
Whoever takes on such a part should clarify the question of version before beginning study — editions differ considerably in arias, ornaments, and cuts. Plan your strength over the whole evening, since the leading part is usually demanded at the beginning and at the end. Work out ornaments deliberately and coordinate them with the musical direction, instead of taking them over from recordings. Clarify cuts and repeats early with the ensemble, because they change the planning of your strength.
Bear in mind that inserted arias and adaptations are historically grounded and do not count as arbitrary: parts were arranged for particular singers and changed from performance to performance. Check, therefore, which version your edition offers, and decide deliberately. Note the tradition of cadenzas in bel canto operas, which often...