Anna Nicole Smith found fame and infamy in equal measure, as a 25-year-old Playboy model and the bride of an octogenarian multi-millionaire more than 60 years her senior.

Some said she was the ultimate gold-digger and for many she became a figure of fun.

When she died of an overdose in 2007 it made news around the world.

Now, her life is the basis of a new opera in London.

Three years ago, the Royal Opera House approached composer Mark-Anthony Turnage to write a new work.

Few composers would turn down the chance to play with Covent Garden's huge resources, but the small matter remained of finding a subject.

The Opera House had already said it favoured a contemporary story with a touch of humour but nothing really coalesced until Turnage met Richard Thomas, co-author of Jerry Springer: the Opera.

The two men discussed topics and eventually alighted on one they both found interesting: the short life and early death of Smith.

Elaine Padmore, Covent Garden's director of opera, liked the idea but knew a piece depicting actual named people needed handling with sensitivity.

"Much of Anna Nicole's life is in the public domain, there's masses of stuff on Google.

"But we've had lawyers working with us from the beginning about every aspect of the way it looks and the words we use."

Covent Garden was unusually wary about giving journalists and critics access to the project as it developed, but is confident the show is legally watertight.

All this contrasts with the high-profile poster campaign for the opera, showing the Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westerbroek glamorously made up as the star.

I was hoping that Elton John would have done a version of Candle in the Wind for ANS.

An Anna Nicole Smith Opera? Are they kidding?

I wish they could have gotten Steve Reich or Philip Glass to do the music w/ libretto by John Waters!
:D

I wish they could have gotten Steve Reich or Philip Glass to do the music w/ libretto by John Waters!
:D


Yep.  And a moving scene where the person who plays the role of ANS sings "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina".  8)

Who's going to portray Anna Nicole Smith? ???

Who's going to portray Anna Nicole Smith? ???


How about Pamela Anderson Lee? ???

Who's going to portray Anna Nicole Smith? ???
Eva-Maria Westbroek

Who's going to portray Anna Nicole Smith? ???


http://www.amiaceleb.com/media/pictures/web/229.jpg
Mandy4u2K from Nashville.

I Googled "anna nicole smith look alike" and VOILA!
:D

And don't forget:
http://x82.xanga.com/a32e862b0823593325672/z27974665.jpg

Who's going to portray Anna Nicole Smith? ???



Eva-Maria Westbroek


Well it is good that the role went to a three-named woman.  ;D

How about Pamela Anderson Lee? ???


Well she does have the boobs. ;)

http://www.amiaceleb.com/media/pictures/web/229.jpg
Mandy4u2K from Nashville.

I Googled "anna nicole smith look alike" and VOILA!
:D

And don't forget:
http://x82.xanga.com/a32e862b0823593325672/z27974665.jpg


Would that be the Anna Nicole hungry days? ;D