InfoAnda - Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Analysis: China watches nervously as Taiwan election nears | | 17 October 2011
China's online population jumps to 420 mln | 15 July 2010
Spain’s ETA separatists declare cease fire | 21 October 2011

Pakistan, India ties chill after attacks | 27 November 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera Reuters - Friday, February 18 Send IM Story Print By Michael Roddy LONDON - The tabloid life of Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith, who bought big breasts, married an oil billionaire and gave birth on TV, has made it to the opera stage in London in a production true to operatic tradition. Like her sexy operatic sisters Salome, Lulu and Manon, the Texan babe with the silicone monsters who becomes addicted to pain killers for consequent back troubles, dies of a drug overdose at age 39, just before the final curtain. That's when the cheering of the sold-out opening night audience erupted for the Royal Opera House production of a two-hour opera by librettist Richard Thomas, of "Jerry Springer: The Opera" fame, and British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage. The staging included a tour-de-force performance by Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek as Anna, wearing prosthetic breasts most of the time, and who is zipped up in a body bag as the lights go out. "The way we look at it, is Anna in this opera is a fabulous eccentric who fell on bad times," Thomas told Reuters Television before the Thursday night premiere of the first of six performances. The run has been sold out for weeks and, given the risque material, has been the talk of the London music scene and even Britain's tabloids, which normally eschew opera. The papers were particularly exercised about the prospect of fellatio being performed onstage as Anna attempts to wheedle a ranch from her octogenarian billionaire "paw paw," J. Howard Marshall, who died a little more than a year after they married. A crowd that gathers blocks out all view while the act supposedly is performed, leaving everything to the imagination. QUITE AN EYEFUL The audience, however, got quite an eye and earful for its money. The tone was set with a special cerise-colored curtain topped with a gaudy cameo of Anna Nicole above the proscenium. The production included an utterly believable re-creation of a lap-dancing club set in Smith's native Texas and a riotous, cocaine-fueled onstage party that featured a guest appearance by Led Zeppelin bass guitarist John Paul Jones, a long-time friend of the composer. Jones turning up as part of a jazz trio gives only a small clue to the depth and breadth of Turnage's score for the 80-piece ROH orchestra, under the baton of conductor Antonio Pappano. Turnage, 50 and writing his third opera, pulled from a huge range of styles, including a banjo-tinged tune reminiscent of Smith's native American south. There also was a witty ensemble for the furious billionaire Marshall's offspring from previous marriages who inform Anna in no uncertain terms she's not getting a dime of his money to a reworking of Sly and the Family Stone's "We Are Family." "Some people say, 'Why an opera?' and actually she's very much an opera figure," Turnage said. "It needs that big treatment...as soon as I started working on this I felt this, I could see her singing, Anna Nicole singing. That was very important to me, that I could musicalise her." The Royal Opera has been at pains to underscore that despite strong parallels to Smith's life, the production is not, as the company's press spokeswoman Ann Richards put it, a "bio-op." This stance may in part be designed to ward off spillover from the endless legal battle that arose from Smith's efforts to claim part of Marshall's estate, and litigation initiated by the attorney Howard Stern, who was her partner at the end. Larry Birkhead, the father of Smith's surviving child Dannielynn, told Reuters on Thursday her estate was considering legal options against the makers of the opera. Thomas said there was "no intention to write a sort of defamatory-prone script," while Turnage said he'd gone out of his way to give Stern, sung with immense finesse by Canadian baritone Gerald Finley, "beautiful music." The opera's ultimate message, though, is delivered by the woman who wanted to be Marilyn Monroe and instead wound up an overweight addict and laughing-stock of reality television. "I want to blow you all, blow you all, a kiss," Anna sings near the opera's opening, and again at its tragic conclusion. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles India to host new international art biennale AFP - Friday, February 18 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Friday, February 18 Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera Reuters - Friday, February 18 Russian contemporary art market takes off AFP - Friday, February 18 Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue Reuters - Friday, February 18 News Search Top Stories New Zealanders' 'rear view cam' an Internet hit US lawmakers close to passing huge spending cuts Earth dodges geomagnetic storm: scientist US price increases hit consumers Russian police raid office of richest woman More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Only 'best will do' for Arsenal in Barca clash More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 18 February 2011
Russian police raid office of richest woman
US-TECH Summary
US price increases hit consumers
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Uganda bans SMS texting of key words during poll
Desperate Ivorians queue for cash as banks close |
Mobile ads boom raises privacy concerns
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence |
EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda how-to-hijack notes |
Japan touts pedal-powered water purifier
Gaming wars go mobile
Somali rebels detain several pirate gang leaders |
Russian police raid firm of ex-Moscow mayor's wife |
US state scrutinizes Google search tactics
China refuses to condemn mob tactics on reporters
Machine trounces man on "Jeopardy!"
Canada says cyber-attack serious, won't harm budget
Australian diver killed in shark attack
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Downbeat S. Korean drama booed in Berlin
ST-Ericsson: ready on WP7 when Nokia is
Hawaii lawmakers vote to legalize same-sex unions
Swine flu kills 12 in Hong Kong in under a month
Cairo teen finds looted pharaonic statue
Japan PM weakened by party revolt
Intel says will find new MeeGo partners
Heady cocktail: ancient Britons drank from skulls
China denies Canada hacking involvement
Fire-hit Carnival group vows lively Rio parade
Finnish startup merges social networks, core games |
Twelve dead in Vietnam tourist boat sinking
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Scientists build first antilaser |
California court agrees to rule on gay marriage row
Internet v. Courts: Googling for the perfect juror |
Iran 'not like Egypt': top Iranian director
Russians worship 'miraculous' icon of tsar
Computer creams human 'Jeopardy!' champs
Brazil's bishops lash 'bad' reality TV
India's Essar group chief quizzed in telecom probe
Europe ratifies free trade deal with S. Korea
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
It's baby no.8 for singer Rod Stewart |
Film casts new light on Germany's Red Army Fraction |
Adrianne Palicki to play Wonder Woman in TV pilot |
Eight dead in Afghan suicide car bombing: police
Kidnapped Italian woman says being held by Al-Qaeda
Egypt pro-democracy activists plan victory march
Facebook adds civil unions to profiles
New Zealanders' 'rear view cam' an Internet hit
Egyptian prosecutor detains three former ministers
New mobile can check pulse, send ambulance
Russia mulls fingerprinting its migrants
US lawmakers close to passing huge spending cuts
Football-playing Japanese robots in Peru exhibit
Earth dodges geomagnetic storm: scientist
Iran says two warships to pass through Suez canal
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules
US price increases hit consumers
Regional jitters as Bahrain, Libya bury dead protesters |
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda "how-to-hijack" notes
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Up to 10 percent of US homes lack basic broadband
Egypt Victory March to test military rulers |
Iran accuses opposition chiefs of treason
Libyan protesters take to streets after demo deaths |
Car bomb in Iraq kills 13, wounds 33-sources
Obama to meet tech titans, including Apple's Jobs
Conflicting reports as Egypt denies barring Iran ships
U.S. sees N. Korea provocations but not missile test |
Apple's Jobs to attend Obama meeting
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents
Uganda votes after bitter presidential campaign |
Raft of players share Riviera PGA lead
Japan opposition nixes deal for PM to quit media: report |
Japan halts Antarctic whaling for rest of season
Suicide attack in east Afghanistan kills nine |
"Two and A Half Men" production to resume February 28
China upholds US geologist's conviction
In NY, Ralph Lauren opts for Chinese opulence
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Mexico's refugees: a hidden cost of the drugs war |
Top US lawmakers reject Pakistan aid cuts in feud
Curtain up on World Cup marathon
Taiwan leader says US jets critical
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
China blocks U.N. report on N.Korea nuclear breaches
India to host new international art biennale
Horse semen on the menu at N.Z. food festival
N.Korea completes missile launch tower
Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera
Russian contemporary art market takes off
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue
Apple's Steve Jobs at tech CEO meeting with Obama |
Anna Nicole Smith opera wows critics in London
Nokia CEO says final Microsoft deal in couple months |
Anna Nicole lover weighs legal move on "trashy" opera
Seoul shares open up as exporters, shipyards gain
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy
RIM says not singled out on India security demands |
US lawmakers press Taiwan to lift beef ban
Feel-good "Idol" right for the times, producer says
Antitrust regulators look at new Apple service: WSJ |
Asian market boosts Pernod sales
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight |
China urges US to treat Chinese firms fairly
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents |
Afghan govt: Bad audit compounded Kabul Bank woes
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue |
Feel-good Idol right for the times, producer says |
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy |
G20 finance chiefs meet on global imbalances
Thousands gather at Cairo's Tahrir Square
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel
Miner Anglo American 2010 profit nearly triples
Angry protests continue throughout the Middle East
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
German minister renounces PhD in plagiarism row
Afghan police: Suicide bombing in east kills 8
Bahrain troops shoot at protesters: ex MP |
Thought-controlled bionic arm unveiled in US
Berlin 'wary' of taking EADS stake
Firewall architect admits skirting China barriers
India police broaden graft probe; shares take a hit |
RIM says not singled out on India security demands
Abbas likely to reject Obama request on settlements |
HK man gets prison for hoax e-mail terror warning
US-TECH Summary
Taiwan ex-leader's wife spared prison
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
Arrest sought of US driver in Pakistan shooting
China targets leather protein in new food concern
Minimal, thoughtful: Japanese art and design in Seoul
FEATURE: New recruits build bonds at Korea's company boot camps
South Korean mountain resort upbeat on Olympic bid
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be
Rod Stewart is father for 8th time
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel |
FEATURE: Thai politicians turn to social media for election campaigning
Mexico carmaker hopes to have the last laugh
Thai PM keeps options open on ceasefire
Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas
Tap, trace, doodle: choices abound for phone users |
Thailand launches probe on palm oil hoarding
So much data, so little money for mobile operators |
Once-feared Tunisian ministry sets up Facebook page |
Inflation-hit India gains new price measure tool
Japan's Bridgestone net profit up, eyes 2011 fall
TomTom faces squeeze from rivals' free services |
Seoul shares rebound as shipyards rally
Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries
Trade pact is 'win-win' for S. Korea, EU: envoy
Asian property market surges 59% in 2010: report
Pakstani c.bank to buy t-bills in 7-day reverse-repo
Pakistan
S.Korean shipyards jump led by Daewoo order hopes
Japan's Skymark signs for six Airbus A380s
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be |
Film explores centuries-old Albanian blood feuds |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01