Bianca Castafiore first appears in the King Ottokar’s Sceptre and was to make an appearance in several of the Adventures of Tintin albums written and illustrated by Herge. Bianca Castafiore character is a Milanese opera singer and her disposition is definitely one of an opera diva.
Herge the creator of Tintin was not a big fan of opera and the creation of Bianca Castafiore was considered by many to be an acknowledgment of that fact. Castafiore is presented as being one of the leading lights in of opera of her generation but in all her appearances in the albums is only heard to sing a couple of lines form The Jewel Song (l’ air des bijoux) from Faust and then only at deafening volumes “Ah my beauty past compare, these jewels bright I wear!…Was I ever Margarita? Is it I? Come reply…Mirror mirror tell me truly!” It was fair to say that Castafiore was not universally liked by all of the Tintin gang.
Captain Haddock in particular isn’t a big Castafiore fan and at one point she even calls him a “scruffy little school boy”. She shows a maternal instinct for Haddock which he truly hates and when he is later linked romantically to Bianca Castafiore by a newspaper reporter he is revealed by Herge as a very unhappy character indeed. Captain Haddock’s is further annoyed by the fact that the signora can never get his name right (see the end of the post for details) and when she ever shows signs of affection for Captain through gifts the results are always calamitous.
Bianca Castafiore (her name means “chaste flower”) ends up captured along with her entourage (her maid Irma, her musician Igor Wagner and the detectives Thompson and Thompson) in the album Tintin and the Picaros by General Tapioca on the advice of Colonel Sponsz. The general and colonel’s aim being to lure Captain Haddock, Tintin and Professor Calculus to San Theodoros where they are then accused of conspiring with Castafiore to assassinate and overthrow General Tapioca. Then however through an unseen chain of events General Tapioca is overthrown with the help of the accused. This doesn’t help Castafiore as she is unfortunately still imprisoned and is seen to complain of over cooked pasta.
The Names for Captain Haddock Incorrectly used by Bianca Castafiore
1. “Mr. Paddock” – pg. 12, The Calculus Affair.
Actually, the first time Captain and Bianca met even Captain said his
own name wrong, introducing himself as “Hoddack”.
2. “Padlock” – pg. 40, The Red Sea Sharks
3. “Harrock” – pg. 40, The Red Sea Sharks.
Instead of correcting Castafiore Captain said, “…’n roll, Signora
Castoroili, Harrock ‘n roll!”
4. “Captain Bartok” – pg. 6, The Castafiore Emerald.
Usually when she says his name wrong Captain will say her name
wrong back on purpose calling her “Castoroili”.
5. “Captain Fatstock” – pg. 8, Castafiore Emerald
6. “Captain Drydock” – pg. 9, Castafiore Emerald
Um, aren’t all docks dry?
7. “Captain Stopcock ” – pg. 10, Castafiore Emerald
8. “Halibut” – pg. 17, Castafiore Emerald
Bianca never actually called Haddock that, but she obviously gave the
delivery man that name instead of Haddock when he was
delivering her piano.
9. “Captain Hammock” – pg. 21, Castafiore Emerald
10. “Captain Paddock” – pg. 22, Castafiore Emerald
Hey, she’s called him this in the past!
11. “Captain Hassock” – pg. 22, Castafiore Emerald
12. “Captain Bedsock” – pg. 34, Castafiore Emerald
13. “Captain Padlock” – pg. 55, Castafiore Emerald
She’s also used this name before!
14. “Captain Hatbox” – pg. 56, Castafiore Emerald
15. “Captain Hemlock” – pg. 61, Tintin and the Picaros