Woody Allen to Direct Puccini Opera in LA
Woody Allen buffs know that the cerebral filmmaker is a fan of the opera, but now the Woodman is ready to take his admiration to a new level: he will direct Giacomo Puccini’s
Gianni Schicchi (The Third act of a larger work entitled
Il Trittico) in Los Angeles.
He was persuaded to lend his talents to the production by world-famous tenor Placido Domingo who serves as general director of the Los Angeles Opera. True to neurotic form, Woody accepted the offer, but has admitted: "I have no idea what I am doing. But incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm."
Despite Allen’s hesitance, Domingo is pleased that the acclaimed filmmaker has accepted the challenge: "I've seduced many a film director into directing opera," said the tenor. "I will admit that my pursuit of Woody takes the prize of the longest."
Gianni Schicchi is
Il Trittico's third, and most well-known, act. The other two acts,
Il Tabarro and
Suor Angelica, will be directed by William Friedkin (
The Exorcist, The French Connection).
The theatrical production will open the Los Angeles opera season in September 2008, while Woody’s latest film,
Cassandra’s Dream, will be released later on this year.
