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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 Thursday.
The 71-year-old director of classic comedies and dramas such as "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan" will helm 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.
"I will admit that my pursuit of Woody takes the prize of the longest pursuit, because LA Opera Chairman 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. - AFP/fa
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