Bianca Castafiore - The Opera Diva from Tintin

Bianca Castafiore first appears in the Kingconspiring with Castafiore to assassinate and
Ottokar's Sceptre and was to make anoverthrow General Tapioca. Then however
appearance in several of the Adventures of Tintinthrough an unseen chain of events General
albums written and illustrated by Herge. BiancaTapioca is overthrown with the help of the
Castafiore character is a Milanese opera singeraccused. This doesn't help Castafiore as she is
and her disposition is definitely one of an operaunfortunately still imprisoned and is seen to
diva.complain of over cooked pasta.
Herge the creator of Tintin was not a big fan ofThe Names for Captain Haddock Incorrectly used
opera and the creation of Bianca Castafiore wasby Bianca Castafiore
considered by many to be an acknowledgment of1. "Mr. Paddock" - pg. 12, The Calculus Affair.
that fact. Castafiore is presented as being one ofActually, the first time Captain and Bianca met
the leading lights in of opera of her generation buteven Captain said hisown name wrong, introducing
in all her appearances in the albums is only heardhimself as "Hoddack".
to sing a couple of lines form The Jewel Song (l'2. "Padlock" - pg. 40, The Red Sea Sharks
air des bijoux) from Faust and then only at3. "Harrock" - pg. 40, The Red Sea Sharks.
deafening volumes "Ah my beauty past compare,Instead of correcting Castafiore Captain said, "...'n
these jewels bright I wear!...Was I ever Margarita?roll, Signora
Is it I? Come reply...Mirror mirror tell me truly!" ItCastoroili, Harrock 'n roll!"
was fair to say that Castafiore was not4. "Captain Bartok" - pg. 6, The Castafiore
universally liked by all of the Tintin gang.Emerald.
Captain Haddock in particular isn't a big CastafioreUsually when she says his name wrong Captain
fan and at one point she even calls him a "scruffywill say her namewrong back on purpose calling
little school boy". She shows a maternal instincther "Castoroili".
for Haddock which he truly hates and when he is5. "Captain Fatstock" - pg. 8, Castafiore Emerald
later linked romantically to Bianca Castafiore by a6. "Captain Drydock" - pg. 9, Castafiore Emerald
newspaper reporter he is revealed by Herge as aUm, aren't all docks dry?
very unhappy character indeed. Captain Haddock's7. "Captain Stopcock" - pg. 10, Castafiore Emerald
is further annoyed by the fact that the signora8. "Halibut" - pg. 17, Castafiore Emerald
can never get his name right (see the end of theBianca never actually called Haddock that, but she
post for details) and when she ever shows signsobviously gave thedelivery man that name instead
of affection for Captain through gifts the resultsof Haddock when he wasdelivering her piano.
are always calamitous.9. "Captain Hammock" - pg. 21, Castafiore Emerald
Bianca Castafiore (her name means "chaste10. "Captain Paddock" - pg. 22, Castafiore Emerald
flower") ends up captured along with herHey, she's called him this in the past!
entourage (her maid Irma, her musician Igor11. "Captain Hassock" - pg. 22, Castafiore Emerald
Wagner and the detectives Thompson and12. "Captain Bedsock" - pg. 34, Castafiore Emerald
Thompson) in the album Tintin and the Picaros by13. "Captain Padlock" - pg. 55, Castafiore Emerald
General Tapioca on the advice of Colonel Sponsz.She's also used this name before!
The general and colonel's aim being to lure Captain14. "Captain Hatbox" - pg. 56, Castafiore Emerald
Haddock, Tintin and Professor Calculus to San15. "Captain Hemlock" - pg.
Theodoros where they are then accused of