And they all live happily ever after. Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
Gather the family for the story of Red. She's the girl with red red hair and she's off to see her Granny who lives in the woods. But she'll need reserves of cunning and strength to overcome the devious (and very hungry) Wolfie.
Watch the video here:
RED! a fairy tale children’s opera written by London-based Kiwi composer Lucy Mulgan and featuring 350 Wellington school children singing on stage.
RED! introduces children to the exhilarating world of opera with storytelling, music, drama and movement. It’s based on the much-loved story of Little Red Riding Hood with a contemporary twist! Mulgan’s retelling of the story draws on relatable themes facing children today such as bullying, gaining independence, and establishing identity, using common sense, and the power of inter-generational relationships - don’t we all love our Granny?
This innovative show is the fruition of a joint project between NZ Opera and Orchestra Wellington with the aim of getting opera out into the region's schools and not just to bring the art form to children but get them involved in making it.
The Cast:
The Big Bad Wolf: Robert Tucker (baritone)
Little Red Riding Hood: Natasha Te Rupe Wilson (soprano)
Mum/Granny: Catrin Johnsson (mezzo)
Chorus: Over 300 children from Kelburn Normal School, Holy Cross School, Miramar North School, Newtown School and Northland School
The creative team:
Composer: Lucy Mulgan
Director: Jacqueline Coats
Music Director: Brent Stewart
RED! was originally commissioned and performed by Barefoot Opera, UK.
RNZ Concert Recording Team:
Music Producer: David McCaw
Sound engineer: Darryl Stack
Technical assistant: Sam Smaill
SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music
Film producer: Chris Watson
Recorded 4 August 2021, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert.
RED! the photo story:
Red is off on an adventure to visit her granny Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
Wolfie is also out and about... Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
Wolfie and Red meet. Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
Wolfie disguises himself as Granny. Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
SPOILER: Granny wins a fight with Wolfie! Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
And they all live happily ever after. Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
The End! (with choir and orchestra) Photo: Marty Melville for NZ Opera
