Anna Nicole Smith subject of provocative new opera

LONDON (AP) -February 16, 2011 (WPVI) -- It's a rags-to-riches story complete with sex,drugs, vast wealth and family tragedy.

The latest production from Britain's Royal Opera is based on the short but sensational life of Playboy playmate turned tabloid superstar Anna Nicole Smith, who died aged 39 in 2007.

The company bills the opera as "a celebrity story of our times." But it has raised a few eyebrows with its warning that the show contains sex, drugs and "extreme language."

"Anna Nicole" has music by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and libretto by Richard Thomas, who co-created "Jerry Springer: The Opera."

Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek plays Smith.

Only six performances are planned between Thursday and March 4 - and all are sold out.

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