Anna Nicole - Royal Opera House, 1 March 2011
Ultimately I'm not any more convinced by Anna Nicole as a work than I was on opening night, but at least a second listen opened my ears to more references in the score, from Mahler to - ahem - Bryan Adams.
The audience reaction was if anything even more enthusiastic. No wonder the composer and librettist couldn't resist stepping on stage to meet the ovation. Anna Nicole is no musical (regardless of what some commentators maintain) but I suspect it could sustain a longer West End run than most if given the opportunity. It certainly had the approval of the ultimate arbiters - a bunch of noisy crisp-eating teenage girls sitting behind me. Perhaps this could be the DVD that finally makes the Royal Opera House some real money - and wouldn't that be ironic?
Are Gerald Finley's teeth really that dazzling white?
Posted by: David | 03 March 2011 at 11:27 AM
I was there too (for the first time) and even Eva-Maria Westbroek seemed incredulous at the response.
Posted by: Kathy | 03 March 2011 at 09:00 PM
How did the teenagers smuggle those crisps in?
Posted by: Rahul | 03 March 2011 at 10:24 PM
@ Rahul: The bag searches are not very thorough these days!
Posted by: Miriam | 03 March 2011 at 11:37 PM
Stop Press: I have important dental information! Finley was at the Insight Evening sporting a normal set of gnashers - I did notice the luminescence of his onstage smile and I am pretty certain it was a special effect, to make him look insincere and devious (cf Simon Cowell).
Having imparted this crucial bit of fang-lore, I can now say that I enjoyed the performance, but I did feel that if the opera is transferred elsewhere in a less polished production with a smaller budget (and a smaller orchestra), it may well be exposed as a slight piece. Pappano said they wanted a modern opera that was entertaining unlike most of the recent offerings, and in this at least they completely succeeded.
Posted by: Manou | 04 March 2011 at 01:13 AM
@ Manou
I think you're right about Finley's teeth. It was a nice touch, but it certainly looks like they've been a bit too enthusiastic applying the whitening... I almost had to put my sunglasses on watching these photos!
@ Kathy
That's just Eva. She's been having this before. Sometimes she doesn't even realize how good she is. There's always this element of insecurity. Especially in first performances.
Posted by: Rob V. | 04 March 2011 at 03:11 PM
The opera is being relayed on BBC 4 on 25th March at 9pm.
Posted by: Vecchio John | 18 March 2011 at 10:38 AM