Zend FR

<?php
  class My_Db_Adapter_Pdo_Mysql extends Zend_Db_Adapter_Pdo_Mysql {
    /**
     * Creates a PDO object and connects to the database.
     *
     * @return void
     * @throws Zend_Db_Adapter_Exception an error occured
     */
    protected function _connect() {
      // Checks whether a connection has already been established
      if ($this->_connection) {
        return;
      }
      
      // Setups the database connection
      parent::_connect();
      
      // Provides UTF-8 support for any further database calls (setup server-
      // client communication)
      try {
        $this->query('SET NAMES UTF8');
      } catch (Exception $exception) {
        echo "Unable to setup connection in UTF-8 mode with the database";
      }
    }
  }
?>

  // Setups database connection
  $database = new My_Db_Adapter_Pdo_Mysql($configuration->database->configuration->asArray());

  // Setups database connection
  $database = Zend_Db::factory($configuration->database->adapter, $configuration->database->configuration->asArray());