Anna Nicole

This opera was very new to me, so I watched Anna Nicole having no prior knowledge of it. And at the end I was very impressed as well as interested. The story and dialogue sparkle, there is a lot of wit which made the experience a lot of fun. The lyrics are sly and clever, and the music while not quite what I call outstanding is pleasurable. Costume and set design look great and helped by atmospheric lighting, interesting camera angles and good picture quality. The sound quality is also mostly good, if occasionally muffled. Musically, Anna Nicole also delights, with the orchestra playing nuanced and well-rehearsed and the conducting as ever is efficient. Eva-Marie Westbroek is highly effective as Anna Nicole, she sings powerfully and the role is very movingly characterised. Alen Oke is appropriately sympathetic, while the always reliable Gerald Finley adds Howard Stern to the operatic roles he's excelled at. All in all, interesting experience. 8/10 Bethany Cox