Woody Allen to Direct Opera in Los Angeles

He may be known for directing cult classics, but soon Woody Allen will also have directed an opera. Even more shocking for Allen enthusiasts is that he will be directing it in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Opera house will welcome Allen for his operatic directorial debut on September 6, 2008. He will debut the Los Angeles Opera's 2008-2009 season according to the general director, Placido Domingo.

One of Woody Allen's recent films, Matchpoint, shows a certain interest in opera. Not only was opera featured on the soundtrack for the film, but also one of the final scenes shows the main character rushing to attend an opera.

Allen also brings his theater experience to the Los Angeles Opera House. He is a noted playwright.

"I have no idea what I am doing," Allen said in a press release for the Los Angeles Opera House. "But incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm."

Allen will direct "Gianni Schicci," part of Puccini's "II Trittico". The Los Angeles Opera House press release states it is the only comedy written by Puccini. It concludes the trio of one act operas.

The opera is set in Florence and centers around a family trying to gain control of a deceased relative's fortune. They convince a friend to pose as the deceased relative to rewrite the will. A couple also hopes that the money they will receive from the altered will will allow them to marry.

Domingo has solicited several directors to attempt to try opera. However, Allen was initially reluctant, and took over four years to be convinced to make an attempt at directing.

"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 was quoted in the press release. "I will admit that my pursuit of Woody takes the prize of the longest pursuit."

William Friedkin, who made the film "The French Connection", will direct the other two parts of Puccini's operatic trio. He directed "Gianni Schicci" five years ago for the Los Angeles Opera House.