In addition to being an uncommonly taxing instrument, the oboe is a sensitive and somewhat unpredictable one as well. Notes must be humored and cajoled; the reed is delicate and must be just so; temperature and atmospheric conditions can produce unexpected and disastrous results. In short, the oboe is something of a tempermental prima donna, but an indispensible one in the orchestra.

-“The Technique of Orchestration,” 6th ed., Kent Kennan and Donald Grantham

Well, aside from the “tempermental prima donna” I think they are talking about the oboist too. 😉

(Thanks for the info, Rachel!)