Glass to make opera about Disney

Classical composer Philip Glass has been commissioned to produce an opera that imagines the final months in the life of the late Walt Disney.

The opera, which will honour the musician's 75th birthday, will be based on the novel The Perfect American.

The book is based on a fictional cartoonist who worked for Disney in the 1940s-50s. He recounts the legendary founder's tale of the Disney success.

It will open the New York City Opera 2012-2013 season.

The traditional 2008-2009 season has been cancelled while the company's home, the New York State Theater at the Lincoln Center, is renovated.

Instead of staged operas, the company is presenting concert performances around the city.

As part of the 2009-10 season, City Opera will present Glass' Einstein on the Beach.

It was first staged in New York in 1992 and will be the company's first production at the refurbished theatre.