Woody Allen to direct LA opera
2007-06-22 09:54
Los Angeles - Veteran film-maker Woody Allen is to take a break from life behind the camera to direct a Los Angeles Opera production later this year, officials said on Thursday.
The 71-year-old director of classic comedies and dramas such as Annie Hall and Manhattan will helm Gianni Schicchi, the first part of Giacomo Puccini's Il Trittico, which includes three one-act operas.
Los Angeles Opera general director Placido Domingo said he was delighted to have secured the services of Allen, who has won three Academy Awards for directing and screenwriting.
"I've seduced many a film director into directing opera, starting with John Schlesinger and The Tales of Hoffmann at London's Covent Garden," Domingo said in a statement.
'Longest pursuit'
"I will admit that my pursuit of Woody takes the prize of the longest pursuit, because LA Opera Chairperson and CEO Marc Stern and I first started talking to him some four years ago."
The other two parts of Puccini's work - Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica - will be directed by William Friedkin, best known for 1970s classics The Exorcist and The French Connection.
The Puccini production will open the Los Angeles opera season in September.