Woody Allen to direct L.A. opera

Maybe the old man has finally lost it. An opera is one thing but Woody Allen directing an opera in Los Angeles?!?!

It's set to happen in September of 2008, according to Placido Domingo (general director of the Los Angeles Opera). Woody is scheduled to direct "Gianni Schicchi" part of a trio of one act operas by Puccini.

“Gianni Schicchi" (sounds delicious!) is set in medieval Florence. It's Puccini's only comedy. Allen says he has "no idea'' what he's doing. But he jokes that incompetence has never prevented him from plunging in with enthusiasm.

Domingo says he's often asked movie directors to try their hand at opera. He says he'd been after Allen for four years. Weird.