The Uncensored Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood, Op. 89 Premiere
This is the premiere performance of "the Uncensored Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood," for dramatic soprano and chamber ensemble, on a composer/performer joint recital i shared with Brandon LePage (flute) on November 15th, 2009 in Hart recital hall at the MSU college of music. Jen Morgan sings the solo (supplying the voices of all three characters, in a nearly 3 octave role), Chelsea "Dr. Muffin" Cowan is on flute, Liz Plummer on oboe d'amore, Dan Miner on piano, myself on violin (stepping in the week of to cover someone), Sela Constan-Wahl on viola, Matt Nix on violoncello, and Lauren Hughes conducts. Jon Brodersen effortlessly turns the pianist's pages with the utmost precision and poise.
The Uncensored Adventures of Little Red
Riding Hood, Op. 89
Little Red: Off Through the woods, Im off for the day, Im off to Grandmothers house to see her!
Through the woods!
Grandmothers sick in bed; this is what Mother says!
To bring her bread and wine!
The path it is my guide! My way I know!
What pretty flowers beside the path; but on my way I go! What a lovely day!
Whos there? Ah!
Wolf: Hello there my dear, what bring you into the woods today?
Dont fret, have no fear! Dont go run the other way!
L.R.: Oh Im just off to Grandmothers house, for shes at home sick in bed!
W.: Ha! How quaint, but why such haste? Look how nice, those flowers the path beside!
Dont go! Itd be such a waste; pick some for Granny, you know wolves dont lie!
L.R.: I really should be on my way, for Grannys expecting me!
But they do look nice; such pretty flowers!
(Wolf laughs to himself)
L.R.: Oh look, such pretty colors!
The yellow, and orange and blue; Ill pick them all, I will!
I know, to cheer up Granny, some daisies and daffodils!
Its getting late; on my way I should be!
Oh what a nice bouquet! She will love these!
Poor Granny at home sick in bed; but now no more delays!
I am nearly there!
Grandma, Im here!
Wolf (as Grandma): Come in my dear!
L.R.: Oh Granny, I hope you get well; Ive picked you some daffodils!
W.: Thank you child!
L.R.: I have never noticed, Grandma, oh what big eyes you have!
W.: The better to see you with, my dear!
L.R.: Dear Granny, not to be rude, but oh what big ears you have!
W.: The better to hear you with my dear!
L.R.: But just one more thing, dear Grandma, oh what big teeth you have!
W.: The better to eat you with!
L.R.: Ah!
Grandma: Whats going on here?
L.R.: Grandma!
W.: Uh oh!
G.: Wolfy whats wrong with you, I cant go out for ten minutes!
L.R.: Grandma, you know this wolf?
G.: Ha! Do I!
W.: I was not going to harm her!
G.: Oh hes my special friend!
L.R.: Oh but Granny, I thought you were sick!
(Grandma laughs)
G.: Do keep an open mind; after all, hes anthropomorphic! Ha!
L.R.: Mother says I should keep an open mind, but this is too weird for me!
W.: Oh Granny!
G.: Im sorry my lover gave you a scare, but; its my unconventional love affair!
(Grandma laughs)
G.: Give your mother my regards!
W.: Goodbye, little girl!
L.R.: Its getting late, I guess I should go;
To each, his own!
The End