As he's been leaving America to film in Europe lately, Woody Allen will be moving one of his stage productions from the U.S. to Spain this season.
As a part of Teatro Real, Madrid's 2014-15 season, Allen will direct another rendition of Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, featuring Plácido Domingo in the title role.
Allen's first Schicchi was produced not in New York, but in Los Angeles back in 2008--as his homage to black and white Italian cinema from the 1940s and '50s.
Thus, the Madrid "premiere" will actually be a revival of Allen's initial Puccini.
TR will produce the one-act comedy on a double bill with, surprisingly, Goyescas (the opera, not the piano suite) by Enrique Granados.
The production opens on June 30, 2015 with José Luis Gómez as director.
You'll recall, Allen was lauded for his first excursion into the realm of opera. Anne Midgette of the Washington Post said, "The only theatrical misstep he made in my book was his failure to come out and acknowledge in person the standing ovation."
With high expectations and a well-received run already in his pocket, this second go 'round should only elevate the director's vast talents...despite all the haters.
To wit, here's the preview from Allen's 2008 Il Trittico.
