Alphabet associations - I

[Nick Armstrong]

An A, then... started with Cossack origins as a maid; was a queen; and died from a fatal cocktail of drugs.

No takers?

The three elements are all operatic - a performer and two characters...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"A queen" of the Night?

[Nick Armstrong]

"A queen" of the Night?

No, nice try ferns...

[subcontrabass]

No takers?

The three elements are all operatic - a performer and two characters...

Sounds like one for our friend in Wales.

[Nick Armstrong]

Sounds like one for our friend in Wales.

You may be on to something, scb

Care to expand?

[subcontrabass]

You may be on to something, scb

Care to expand?

Anna: Netrebko, Bolena, and Nicole ???

[Nick Armstrong]

Anna: Netrebko, Bolena, and Nicole ???

In a nutshell, precisely!

Yes, it was a tribute to our dear Anna I wonder if she missed it....

B so good as to continue, scb

[subcontrabass]

B:

A Spanish dance appearing in the nineteenth century on piano and harmonium and in operas by an Irishman before becoming better known in a twentieth century ballet.

[Northender]

There's a Bacchanale in Balfe's 'Rose of Castille'...

[Northender]

...and there's a ballet entitled Bacchanale by Salvador Dali...

[subcontrabass]

There's a Bacchanale in Balfe's 'Rose of Castille'...

You need the other prominent Irish composer from the same period, who performed all round the world.

[subcontrabass]

...and there's a ballet entitled Bacchanale by Salvador Dali...

Is that extremely well known?

[Northender]

...There's a Bacchanale (not a ballet) by Ibert (not Irish)...I shall think on.

[cloughie]

Northender is seeking Bacchanales but has it been confirmed as the B if not is it Bolero or Bambera (Bamba)?

[Northender]

Possibly because I'm not familiar with all the conventions applicable to this game, I've actually no idea whether I'm on the right track or not. Are some question-setters' responses more cryptic than others, or is it just me being a bit thick?