NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Divas

A Diva is a term used to describe a distinguished female opera singer, but now also refers to a popular female performer of non-operatic works. The term was originally used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent, but many believe the word is currently overused, especially in the media, to describe any female performer who has experienced even a modicum of success. The term derives from an Italian word meaning "goddess", which, in turn derives from the feminine form of a Latin word divus, meaning "divine one". A diva can refer to a female singer. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture A goddess is a female deity, in contrast with a male deity known as a god. A great many cultures have goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger pantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

Time Magazine observed in its October 21, 2002 issue: "By definition, a diva is a rampaging female ego redeemed only in part by a lovely voice." The word was originally used for great female opera singers, almost always sopranos, but can be used to describe many female celebrities, such as singers, or movie actresses. (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... 2002 (MMII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up Soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In music, a soprano is a singer with a voice ranging approximately from the A below middle C to high C two octaves above middle C (i. ...

As with the earlier "prima donna", which was also derived from opera (lit. "first lady"), the term has slipped from its trade origins and come to be used in any theatrical or performance setting. In particular, because of marketing efforts, the word "diva" has come to be applied most often to popular female performers. In order to qualify as a diva there must be one, or both, of two dominant traits present: a broad and expansive voice and/or a thoroughly captivating and commanding stage presence. Look up Prima donna on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Originally used in opera companies, prima donna is Italian for first lady. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

"Diva" may also have a negative connotation, as the word can imply that the star believes the only thing that matters is his/her person, and that everyone involved in a project must cater to his/her every whim. They commonly throw tantrums, which receive a lot of attention from the mass media. Upon reports, Diana Ross has been considered a "diva" in these respects. Christina Maria Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American pop singer-songwriter, also known as Xtina. ... Julie Andrews as Maria, with the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music. ... Joan Baezs 1975 bestseller Diamonds & Rust. ... Anita Baker Anita Baker (born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio) is an African American soul and adult contemporary Rhythm and blues singer. ... Beyonc in 2004 with her five Grammys. ... BjÃ¶rk BjÃ¶rk GuÃ°mundsdÃ³ttir IPA: , (born November 21, 1965 in ReykjavÃk, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer/songwriter and composer with a great expressive range and an interest in many kinds of music including popular, trip-hop, alternative rock, jazz, electronica, folk, and classical music. ... Mary J. Bliges 2005 album The Breakthrough Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971 in the Bronx, New York) is a popular American R&B/Hip hop soul singer, songwriter and producer. ... Braxton on the cover of her 2005 album Libra Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1968 in Severn, Maryland) is a six-time Grammy Award winning African American R&B singer. ... Sarah Brightman in La Luna: Live in Concert (2001) Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960 in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire) is an English soprano and actress. ... Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is a R&B and pop singer, songwriter, record producer and occasional actress of the 1990s and 2000s. ... Cher on the cover of her album Living Proof Image:CherCher Photo Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946) is an American actress and singer of half Armenian, Scots Irish, and 1/16th Cherokee descent. ... Patsy Cline Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932 â€“ March 5, 1963) was an American country music singer. ... Natalie Cole (born February 6, 1950) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter. ... Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962 in Kennett, Missouri, USA) is an American blues rock singer, guitarist, bassist and songwriter. ... Doris Day Doris Day (born April 3, 1924) is an American singer, actress, and animal welfare advocate. ... CÃ©line Marie Claudette Dion, OC, OQ (born March 30, 1968) is a Canadian Grammy, Juno, and Oscar award-winning pop singer and songwriter. ... Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 â€“ June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella (the First Lady of Song), was one of the most influential jazz singers of the 20th Century, the winner of thirteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Art presented by President Reagan and the Presidential Medal... Roberta Flack Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1939) is an American singer. ... Connie Francis MGM LP record, 1961 Connie Francis (December 12, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American singer. ... Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an iconic American gospel, soul and R&B singer born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Detroit, Michigan. ... Judy Garland, circa 1943. ... Kathryn Grayson (born February 9, 1922) is an American actress and singer who was born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. ... Debbie Harry on the cover of her collection Most of All: Best Of Deborah Harry (born July 1, 1945) is a Miami-born American rock and roll musician who originally gained fame as the frontwoman for New Wave band Blondie, which originated in the late 1970s and achieved commercial success... Lauryn Hill (born May 25, 1975 in South Orange, New Jersey), or Ms. ... Billie Holiday For the Canadian broadcaster, see Billie Holiday (broadcaster). ... Lena Horne photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941 Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American popular singer. ... Whitney Elizabeth Houston (born August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American Pop, R&B, Soul and Gospel singer, songwriter, record producer, film producer and actress. ... Cover of a Pretenders collection Greatest Hits showing Chrissie Hynde Chrissie Hynde is an American rock musician, best known as the leader of the band The Pretenders. ... Dana International Dana International (Hebrew: ×“× ×” ××™× ×˜×¨× ×©×™×•× ×œ); (Arabic: Ø¯Ø§Ù†Ø§ Ø§ÙÙ†ØªØ±Ù†Ø´ÙŠÙˆÙ†Ø§Ù„) (real name of Sharon Cohen, born Yaron Cohen in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 2, 1972) is an Israeli transsexual pop singer, who won the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest for her song Diva. She became famous everywhere, and she was the first Israeli artist... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Etta James on the cover of one of her albums Etta James is an American R&B and gospel singer. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Rickie Lee Jones (born November 8, 1954) is a vocalist and songwriter from the United States. ... Janis Joplin on the cover of her posthumously released live album In Concert Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 â€“ October 4, 1970) was an American blues-influenced rock singer and occasional songwriter with a distinctive voice. ... This article needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... Album cover of What Cha Gonna Do For Me? Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is the stage name of the American singer Yvette Marie Stevens. ... Tapestry (1971) Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is a Jewish American singer and songwriter. ... The cover to Gladys Knights 2001 album At Last. ... Patti LaBelle pays tribute to the crew of the space shuttle Columbia. ... Brenda Lee on the cover of her collection, part of The Millennium Collection Brenda Lee, real name Brenda Mae Tarpley (born December 11, 1944), was an American teen idol and country singer from Lithonia, Georgia. ... Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 â€“ January 21, 2002) was an American popular music and Jazz singer. ... Annie Lennox is an Oscar-winning British rock musician and vocalist. ... Patti LuPone in her Tony Award winning role as Eva Peron in the Broadway musical Evita. ... Loretta Lynn on the cover of her album Who Was That Stranger Loretta Lynn (born April 14, 1935) is an American country singer, known as Americas Sweetheart. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Sarah McLachlan Sarah Ann McLachlan, O.C., O.B.C. (born January 28, 1968) is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. ... Bette Midler (born December 1, 1945), is a singer, actress, and comedian. ... Liza Minnelli. ... Kylie Ann Minogue (born May 28, 1968, in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian singer, occasional songwriter and actress. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta), is a legendary Canadian musician and painter. ... Anne Murray on the cover of her Christmas album What a Wonderful Christmas Anne Murray, CC , ONS , LL.D (born Morna Anne Murray June 20, 1945), is a Canadian singer born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, known for her rich alto voice and her taste in choosing songs that appeal to... Olivia Newton-John, 1988 Olivia Newton-John (born September 26, 1948, Cambridge) is a British-born Australian singer and actress. ... Stevie Nicks photo Stephanie Lynn Stevie Nicks (born May 26, 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona) is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac. ... Dolly Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American country singer, songwriter, composer, author and actress. ... Bonnie Raitt on the cover of her album Silver Lining Bonnie Raitt, (born November 8, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt. ... Linda Ronstadt on the cover of the March 27, 1975, issue of Rolling Stone magazine Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American singer most closely associated with the country rock genre prevalent in the 1970s. ... Diana Ross on the cover of her collection Diana Ross: The Ultimate Collection This article is about the American musician. ... Sade on the cover of her 1994 collection Best of Sade Sade Adu, pronounced Shar-day (IPA //), British-Nigerian singer, songwriter (born Helen Folasade Adu on 16 January 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria), is a jazz, pop, urban and adult contemporary vocalist, noted for her soulful, smoky contralto. ... Carly Simons 2005 CD, Moonlight Serenade Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25, 1945 in New York City) is an American musician who emerged as one of the leading lights of the early 1970s singer-songwriter boom. ... Dr. Nina Simone Eunice Kathleen Waymon, better known as Dr. Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 â€“ April 21, 2003), was a singer, songwriter and pianist. ... Patti Smith is often confused with Patty Smyth - the former lead singer of the band Scandal. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Barbra Streisand - Guilty Pleasures. ... Donna Summer on the cover of her 1993 collection The Donna Summer Anthology Donna Summer (born Donna Andrea Gaines on December 31, 1948) is an American pop music singer best known for a string of disco music hits in the 1970s that earned her the title Queen of Disco. // Career... Tina Turner on the cover of her 1991 compilation album Simply the Best Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Nutbush, now Brownsville, Tennessee) of African American and Navajo ancenstry. ... Shania Twain, OC (born August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has been very successful in the country and pop music genres, setting several sales records for female artists and for country artists. ... Sarah Lois Vaughan (nicknamed Sassy and The Divine One), (March 27, 1924 â€“ April 3, 1990) was considered to be one of the greatest female jazz singers of the 20th Century, along with Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. ... Dionne Warwick on the cover of her Christmas album My Favorite Time of the Year Dionne Warwick (born December 12, 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey as Marie Dionne Warrick) is an American singer best known for her work with Hal David and Burt Bacharach as songwriters. ... Dinah Washington Dinah Washington (August 29, 1924 - December 14, 1963) an American blues, jazz, and gospel singer. ... ... Celebrity tantrums are outbursts by people with celebrity status. ... Mass media is a term used to denote, as a class, that section of the media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience (typically at least as large as the whole population of a nation state). ...

Ballerinas

A diva in ballet is also called a prima donna, the meaning defined in many dictionaries. The following lists the ballerinas, who have reached the status of prima ballerina assoluta, which would perhaps qualify them for the accolade of diva: Image File history File links Kszessinska. ...

Of Ulanova, Margot Fonteyn said "I cannot even begin to talk about Ulanova’s dancing, it is so marvellous, I am left speechless. It is magic. Now we know what we lack.". Pierina Legnani (1863-1923) was an Italian ballerina responsible for the inclusion of 32 consecutive fouettés en tournant en pointe to the ballet Swan Lake. ... Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971), also known as Her Serene Highness Princess Romanova-Krasinskaya since 1921, was the second prima ballerina assoluta in the world. ... Galina Sergeyevna Ulanova (Russian: ; 8 January 1910 (O.S. 26 December 1909} - 21 March 1998) has the reputation of the greatest Soviet ballerina. ... Maya in the 1964 production of Don Quixote. ... Anna Pavlova Anna Pavlova (portrait by Jean Thomassen) Anna Pavlova is also the name of an Olympic gymnast. ... Dame Margot Fonteyn, DBE, (18 May 1919-21 February 1991) was a leading British ballet dancer of her time. ... Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martinez Hoya (born December 21, 1921), simply known as Alicia Alonso, is a Cuban prima ballerina assoluta and choreographer. ...

In Russia, Ulanova's flat in Moscow is designated a national museum, and there are monuments to her in Saint Petersburg and Stockholm. Cuba's ballet diva Alonso is still treated like royalty years after she has hung up her ballet shoes. [1] Moscow (Russian: ÐœÐ¾ÑÐºÐ²Ð°Ì, Moskva, IPA: â–¶ (helpÂ· info)) is the capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland... The Old town in Stockholm from the air â–¶(?) is the capital of Sweden, located on the east coast at the entrance of lake MÃ¤laren. ...

Opera Singers

In opera, diva applies to any female opera singer, and this is also the main meaning in many dictionaries. Typically, an opera singer to achieve this status would be quite well known, and play a major solo part in the opera. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (418x617, 34 KB) Summary from Sandys opera gallery Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Diva Elisabeth Schwarzkopf ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (418x617, 34 KB) Summary from Sandys opera gallery Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Diva Elisabeth Schwarzkopf ... Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is a German opera singer, (born December 9, 1915) is one of the leading sopranos of the post-World War II period, much admired for her performances of Mozart and Strauss. ...

Categories: Articles which may be biased | Women | Female singers Mary Violet Leontyne Price (b. ... The Italian opera singer Renata Tebaldi (February 1, 1922 - December 19, 2004) was one of the most famous sopranos of the post-war period. ... The Catalan singer Victoria de los Ángeles (November 1, 1923 – January 15, 2005) was a well-known soprano whose career spanned the early 1940s to the mid 1970s. ... Dame Joan Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE is an Australian opera singer noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Maria Callas on book cover Maria Callas (Greek name: ÎœÎ±ÏÎ¯Î± ÎšÎ±Î»Î¿Î³ÎµÏÎ¿Ï€Î¿ÏÎ»Î¿Ï…; December 2, 1923 â€“ September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ... Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ DBE AO (March 6, 1944), is a well-known New Zealander opera singer of MÄori ancestry. ... Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is a German opera singer, (born December 9, 1915) is one of the leading sopranos of the post-World War II period, much admired for her performances of Mozart and Strauss. ...

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Opera Singers

Ballerinas