The famed opera company, which will present Leonard Bernstein’s Candide beginning March 4, has announced its forthcoming season. In addition to such fare as Madama Butterfly, Tosca, The Barber of Seville, Turandot, La Bohème, Don Giovanni and Carmen are two production of interest to theatregoers: The Little Prince and The Most Happy Fella. The fall 2005 season will include The Little Prince, an opera based on the classic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry children’s book. Academy Award winner Rachel Portman has composed the score, which features a libretto by Nicholas Wright. The opera, which is performed in English, premiered in May 2003 at the Houston Grand Opera. The City Opera production will run Nov. 12-20, and the original Francesca Zambello production will be directed by Sarah Meyers. Joseph McManners will star in the title role with Keith Phares as the Pilot. The creative team comprises Rick Fisher (lighting design), Gerald Steichen (conductor), Anthony Piccolo (children’s chorus director) and the late Maria Bjornson (set and costume design).

The Most Happy Fella, which features book, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, will be offered March 4-25, 2006. Tazewell Thompson will direct the New York City Opera mounting, with set design by Michael Anania. George Manahan will conduct the orchestra; no casting has yet been announced. Fella, which premiered on Broadway in 1956, features such tunes as "Standing on the Corner," "Joey, Joey, Joey," "Big D," "Somebody, Somewhere" and "My Heart Is so Full of You." The musical concerns “an aging vineyard owner named Tony [who] courts a pretty young waitress, Rosabella, through the mail and wins her over with a marriage proposal with a picture enclosed. Afraid of rejection, though, he has sent a picture of his handsome foreman. Rosabella discovers the ruse, but true love brings about a most happy ending.”

For more information about the upcoming City Opera season, visit www.nycopera.com.