orchestra) is the introduction to yet another coloratura aria, "Una voce poco fa", from Rossini's Barber of Seville. The asteroid 1683 Castafiore, discovered in 1950, is named after the character. Kim Newman includes Castafiore in his alternative history novels Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles and Dracula Cha Cha Cha along with many other characters from other authors. Bianca Castafiore is said to have been inspired by Hergé's own grandmother – Hergé believed that his father was an illegitimate son of the Belgian king Leopold II, but only his grandmother could have known the truth. He added subtle references such as operas that Bianca sang, referring to such stories. See also List of The Adventures of Tintin characters References Citations Sources (2001). The Unknown Callas: The Greek Years. Amadeus Press , issue 14 of opera biography series, foreword by George Lascelles Bibliography Tintin characters Comics characters introduced in 1939 Fictional singers Fictional Italian people Female characters in comics