RED RIDING
HOOD
THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE
Educational guide
Discover
Red Riding
HOOD
The Adventures of Little
The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood
You thought you knew everything about Little Red Riding Hood? Well, join us in exploring her world by wandering through the different sections we’ve developed for you, and discover secrets you never knew existed! It is not just the forest that is mysterious!
Adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood
who is the big bad wolf?
LISTENING GUIDE
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
The Characters
The story
2.LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD IS MORE THAN JUST ADORABLE…
1.GRANDMOTHER’S STORY BOOK
3.IS THE WOLF FRIENDLY?
4.THE WOLF’S RUSE
6.
YOU’VE GOT A DEAL, GRANDMOTHER!
5.WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE, GRANDMOTHER…
GRANDMOTHER’S STORY BOOK
What is more heartwarming than a good story enthusiastically told by a specialist of adventure and memory?
And if we add to this a symphony orchestra, it becomes simply magical!
But you still have to choose one, Grandmother … there are hundreds of tales!
Ravel, Tombeau de Couperin : I. PrElude
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD IS MORE THAN JUST ADORABLE…
Mother is not asking for much: a little visit to see Grandmother,
without going through the forest!
But our young girl is headstrong, she cannot resist the temptation:
a shortcut, full of beautiful sights and small animals, is much nicer, Mrs. Owl!
Prokofiev, SymphonY, no.1, IV. finaLe
IS THE WOLF FRIENDLY?
The Wolf seems friendly; and to arrive at Grandmother’s before the sun sets, Little Red Riding Hood will gladly accept his “help”!
All forests have dark sides…
And that is how Red Riding Hood falls into the trap.
TchaïkovskY, SymphonY no. 4 : Andante (exCERPT)
Bizet, La jolie fille de Perth : « Quand la flamme de l’amour » (exCERPt)
Bartók, Music for strings, percussions AND cElesta : III. Adagio (exCERPt)
THE WOLF’S RUSE
Grandmother did not suspect anything either, despite her wise old age.
The red hood, high voice, pull the bobbin and presto!
The Wolf succeeds in tricking our poor, ailing Grandmother.
And we know the rest…
Gounod, Le médecin malgré lui : « Qu’ils sont doux » (excerpt)
Messiaen, L’ascension : III. Transports de joie
WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE, GRANDMOTHER…
With help from animals of the forest, Red Riding Hood finally arrives at Grandmother’s.
Only, she does not recognize her … those eyes, that smell, those big, fur-covered arms…
Disaster!!! Under her bonnet is the Big Bad Wolf!
Fortunately for her, the Hunter was passing by!
Thanks to Little Red Riding Hood’s bravery and quick wit, the Hunter shoots down the Wolf and frees the two captives.
s.
Rimski-Korsakov, The tale of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57: flight of the bumblebee
YOU’VE GOT A DEAL, GRANDMOTHER!
Little Red Riding Hood realizes her mistakes. She feared for her life and put her grandmother in danger.
But Grandmother will readily forgive everything … only on one condition!!!
beethoveN, symphonY no.4: 1st movement (excerpt)
The Characters
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
GRANDMOTHER
WOLF
MOTHER
Alexandra Sicard, actor
Alexandra Sicard is a 17-year-old actor of many talents. In 2011, she became known to many young people for her appearance in Les Argonautes, a series broadcast on Télé-Québec.
She later won the part of Jane in the musical Mary Poppins, as well as the roles of Marta and Gretl in La Mélodie du bonheur (The Sound of Music). She has also acted in several films, television series and web series, including Little Waves (Les petites vagues), L’imposteur and L’effet secondaire.
She practises dance and singing, two skills that she sometimes uses in her roles.
Martine Francke, actor
This actor has led a long career and is never short on charm and charisma! Martine Francke is a versatile actor who never fails to captivate audiences of all ages! She has appeared in films, on television and on the live theatre stage. Thanks to her many years with the Ligue nationale d’improvisation (National Improvisation League), she is adept at improvising in her roles and can easily slip in and out of the minds a variety of characters. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that she is able to play both Red Riding Hood’s mother and the role of the owl in the same performance!!!
Danièle Panneton, actor
After graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1975, Danièle Panneton has worked steadily in the different areas of her profession. A theatre actor most of all, she has acted in many plays and put on about a dozen shows in Montreal and throughout the province. A multi-talented artist, she also honed her skills as part of the LNI (National Improvisation League), with the Théâtre UBU, on television, radio, and film. Her voice can be heard in many voice-overs and commercials, and she has recorded about a hundred audiobooks. She has taught theatre performance for over 40 years in various theatre schools, including a continuing education workshop with the Union des artistes, and voice acting at the Conservatoire since 1997. An experienced storyteller, she is an expert at captivating an audience’s attention.
Dominique Côté, baritone and actor
Born in Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, Quebec, baritone Dominique Côté is admired by audiences and critics for his warm voice and moving performances. He excelled in various competitions throughout his career and continues to earn accolades with his awe-inspiring performances. He has also appeared on television and has done voice acting in the roles of several cartoon characters. Dominique enjoys navigating all musical worlds to which his voice enables him to go. Indeed, in Little Red Riding Hood, he plays a Wolf character who is just as disconcerting as he is hilarious!
Adaptations of
Little Red Riding Hood
and the different versions that exist
Discover
Little Red Riding Hood is a classic tale that comes from oral culture, meaning that the story was first passed down by word of mouth. In 1697, author Charles Perreault, who was one of the first to put this tale in writing, included it in his collection Les Contes de ma mère l’Oye (The Tales of Mother Goose). Click on the pictures if you want to find out more about the two authors!
To watch an animated version of Perreault's tale.
Charles Perreault
To watch an animated version inspired by the Brothers Grimm.
Brothers Grimm
Different versions, different elements…
The story in image
The modernized story
The story in sounds
The story revisited
Riding Hood in film
Jean Claverie, a more recent author and illustrator, thought up an even more modern version of this popular fairy tale. The forest is replaced by a big city. Red Riding Hood’s mother asks her to bring a pizza and a little pot of tomato sauce to her grandmother! Little Red Riding Hood wears a red jacket. The Wolf is a certain Mr. Wolf, who owns a scrapyard.
The young girl stops to play among the old cars.
The modernized story
Bye Bye Red Riding Hood Bye Bye Red Riding Hood is a modern-day version of this well-known tale. Ever since she was little, Fanny has lived with her mother, a professional meteorologist, in an enchanted forest where her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother also live. One day, Fanny, who is 12 years old, veers from the usual path that leads to her grandmother’s and wanders off into the woods.
To watch the film's trailer :
The story in image
In the album Red Riding Hood, by Adolfo Serra, the story of Red Riding Hood is pictured in an original way. The reader discovers that the way to the grandmother's house is actually ... the tail of the wolf and that the trees in the forest are made of hair ...
In the picture book The Bus Ride by Marianne Dubuc, a little girl dressed in a red cardigan takes a bus to get to her grandmother’s. During her short trip, she meets several characters from classic fairy tales, including a cunning fox. There is no text, the whole story is told in pictures.
The story in sounds
Discover a version in podcast format, produced in French by Théâtre Bouches Décousues: Petit Capuchon rouge by Jasmine Dubé.
In the audio book Les vacances du Petit Chaperon rouge by Johanne Gagné, you can listen to a story (in French) that is very different from the original, in which all the characters are on vacation!
The story revisited
Discover the summary of 11 different versions of Little Red Riding Hood told around the world.
The story in film
To watch the trailer for this version of Little Red Riding Hood, click on the image below!
Hoodwinked!The entire forest is turned upside down since an investigation began its interrogations of all the story’s characters… Red Riding Hood is reworked as a suspense film.
WHO IS THE BIG BAD WOLF?
The wolf in storytelling
Are wolves truly mean?
Let's walk in the woods, while the wolf is not there ...
Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, A Wolf in Lamb's Clothing... The wolf is a character found in storytelling traditions around the world.
In each of these stories, the wolf is a frightening, dangerous wild animal that attacks children, the elderly as well as other animals. In some, the wolf even dresses up and tricks others into believing they are harmless... and attacks when least expected!
Storytelling serves many purposes, from entertainment to teaching lessons. So why do so many stories feature the wolf as a villain?
Many of these stories come from times and places in which people lived in small settlements surrounded by vast areas of wilderness. Fear of wolf attacks was common. Originally, these stories may have helped keep adults and children safe by reminding them that their behaviour could have dangerous consequences. .
Sometimes a wolf is not just a wolf. In many stories like Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf talks, walks and even dresses up in human clothing.
Discover or rediscover a famous wolf among the musicians of the OSM! Watch this video for an introduction to Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev.
There is always a purpose to these stories: when we listen to a story, we feel like we are living it ourselves. If we ever meet a person like the wolf, we know what to do. Or, depending on the story, just what not to do!
Are wolves truly mean?
The poor wolf! Wolves in many tales are portrayed as frightening, mean and deceitful. Over centuries, wolves have been so feared that they have been hunted to extermination in multiple countries around the world. Are wolves truly a mean animal?
In their natural environment, wolves live in packs. Carnivorous animals, wolves need meat to survive and play an important part of the food chain. Older wolves take care of younger pups by bringing them food. Contrary to popular belief, wolves rarely attack humans and prefer natural prey to domesticated livestock.
Wolves are close cousins to dogs. Both members of the Canine family, wolves and dogs demonstrate similar characteristics such as playfulness, curiosity and loyalty.
These aspects of wolves are also found in stories. Orianne Lallemand's book The Wolf who voyages Back in Time from The Wolf who... (Le loup qui... ) series shows the wolf as a curious adventurer. Philippe Matter's comic Mini-Loup features a playful little wolf pup. For older readers, Bill Willingham’s comic series Fables features wolves as a loyal protector.
Maybe this animal is more than just a big bad wolf!
Click here to hear a wolf cry
LISTENING GUIDE
Come and walk through the pieces of the concert and learn more about the composers ...
Discover
Observe the musicians and try to spot our two starting instruments! Here is a clue: they belong to the woodwind family…
Does it seem like the oboe and clarinet are chatting among themselves while they wait for the strings to join them so that everyone can play together?
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON the woodwindS family
Ravel, Le tombeau de Couperin : I. Prelude
Woodwinds
Instruments from the woodwind family are wind instruments. These instruments are called “woodwinds” because on their mouthpieces they have a small piece of wood called a reed. To produce sound, musicians blow to make one (or two) thin strip(s) of wood vibrate.
A video worth a thousand words
Mathieu harel and the woodwinds instruments
bassoon
Strange : the flute does not have a reed! !
THE flute
clarinets
OBOE
Did you know ?
THE SAXOPHONE
The Flute and the Piccolo
The word transverse describes the horizontal position of the instrument across the players face and to the right. It’s as if the player’s mouth and face are being “traversed” by the instrument!
Why then does the flute belong to the woodwind family if it is made of metal ?
There is a whole family of flute sizes, including a very small flute with very high notes: the piccolo.
A video worth a thousand words !
Return to the listening guide
The Clarinets
In an orchestra you will find three types of clarinets: the E-flat clarinet, with a high sound, the B-flat clarinet, which is more common, and the bass clarinet, with a very low sound, and much bigger than the B-flat! All three types are made of ebony: a very rare type of wood that grows naturally in southern Africa. It gives them their rich sound…
… Like in this excerpt from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony no. 2
Return to the listening guide
The Oboe and the English horn
The timbre of the oboe and its cousin the English horn have a characteristic in common: they sound rather nasal! In fact, that’s why the oboe was chosen by Sergei Prokofiev to portray the duck in his famous story of Peter and the Wolf. But, when these instruments are played solo, they can surprise listeners with beautiful soft melodies. Even though their timbres are similar, the sounds produced by the English horn are lower than those of the oboe, because the instrument is longer.
Notice the difference between the sonority of the oboe and the English horn by listening to these two excerpts.
Return to the listening guide
The Bassoon and the Contrabassoon
The bassoon is a long tube, folded over on itself (2.5 meters) made of maple or of rosewood, that ends in a metal pipe called a crook, where we find the mouthpiece. A bassoonist holds their instrument leaning to one side over their right hip.
Listen to the first measures of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas
Return to the listening guide
On this music, Little Red Riding Hood discovers the forest and its surprising creatures.
Do you think it is possible to walk to the rhythm played by the strings, then by the winds?
Click here to participate in a musical quiz
Prokofiev, Symphony no.1 in D major, op. 25, « Classical » : IV. Finale
Return to the listening guide
Excerpt 1
What family of instruments do you hear ?
a) Strings
d) Percussion
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
OOPS ! Try again...
YES, Bravo ! You heard woodwinds.
Return to the listening guide
Excerpt 2
What family of instruments do you hear ?
d) Percussion
a) Strings
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
Yes, Bravo ! Your heard THE strings.
Return to the listening guide
Excerpt 3
What family of instruments do you hear ?
a) Strings
d) Percussion
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
YES, Bravo ! YOU HEARD BRASS.
Return to the listening guide
Excerpt 4
What family of instruments do you hear ?
d) Percussion
a) Strings
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
Return to the listening guide
Yes, Bravo ! Your heard percussion instruments.
Feel free to count the number of times you can hear the theme being played by the horns!
This tune seems to announce something or maybe someone important … perhaps the Wolf?
Tchaïkovsky, Symphony no. 4 in f minor, op. 36 : I. Andante sostenuto – Moderato con anima
The French Horn
The French horn has a mouthpiece, keys, a big bell, and many meters of metal tubing rolled up and folded on to itself. A French horn player sticks their hand into the bell to hold the instrument but also to adjust the sound it makes. The instrument is often associated with hunting!
Listen to the powerful sound of the horns here in this excerpt of Beethoven's third symphony!
Do you think the singer needs to have a high voice (tenor) or a low voice (baritone) to be able to perform this music?
In our musical version of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, this song is the bad Wolf’s!
Bizet, La jolie fille de Perth, Suite : « Quand la flamme de l’amour »
How would you describe the atmosphere in the forest at that moment?
As you listen to the following excerpt, can you identify the sounds of forest animals that are associated with musical instruments? For example, the violin referred to bees, the double bass evoked the papa bear ...
- Frightening Nothing really scares you!
To listen to another BaRtÓk piece
Bartók, Music for strings, percussions and celesta : III. Adagio (excerpt)
Notice how the string family is playing the music. The strings are not stroked with a bow. Do you know what this technique is called?
What do you think about this choice of music for announcing the arrival of the Wolf? What movie genre does this piece make you think of?
click here To learn more about the stringS
Gounod, Le médecin malgré lui : « Qu’ils sont doux » (excerpt)
The Strings
the Octobass
A video worth a thousand words
SYLVIE LAMBERT AND THE BOWED STRINGS
the double bass
The cello
The viola
The violin
The Violin
The violin is the smallest instrument of the string family, and the one with the highest sounding notes. In an orchestra, the violins are divided into two sections; the first and the second violins. Composers usually write a different musical part for each of these two sections. Violinists usually play sitting down, holding their instrument between their shoulder and chin, but they can also play standing up!
A video worth a thousand words
Andrew wan, concertmaster
Return to the listening guide
The Viola
The viola is slightly bigger than the violin, is held in the same way, and can play notes that are slightly lower. In an orchestra the violas often play a supporting role to the melody played by the violins, but in some cases, composers like to use them as solo instruments as well.
Compare the sound of the violin to the sound of the viola. Do you notice any differences?
Return to the listening guide
The Cello
The cello is much bigger than the viola - so big that it would be impossible to hold it between the shoulder and the chin! The cellist plays in a seated position and leans the instrument against their body. The cello has a metal pole called a spike. As the name suggests, this pole spikes into the ground to support the instrument.
Listen here to one of the most famous pieces written for the cello: The Cello Concerto by Antonín Dvořák!
Return to the listening guide
The Double Bass
The double bass is even bigger than the cello (about 2 meters). That’s why double bass players have to sit on a high stool to play or remain standing!
Here, you can hear the double bass playing an excerpt from the very first symphony composed by Gustav Mahler.
Return to the listening guide
The Octobass
That’s not all! The OSM is very lucky to have a fifth bowed string instrument. It’s much rarer and much bigger than the double bass… it is over three meters hight! It’s called an octobass. This imposing instrument is used in certain concerts only!
A video worth a thousand words
Eric Chappell and the OCTOBASS
Return to the listening guide
Something dreadful happens at the moment the organist begins to play this piece… Did you notice the colour of the lighting around the organ?
Look closely at Jean-Willy Kunz as he plays the lowest notes, where is he placing his feet?
And when he plays the high notes, what part of the organ is he playing on?
to hear MessiaEn himself play the organ, Click here!
Messiaen, L’ascension : III. Transports de joie (excerpt)
Do you notice how the instruments play very quickly in this piece of music? It almost sounds like a chase!
Imagine the scene where Little Red Riding Hood tries to escape the Wolf...
to hear another piece by composer Rimsky-Korsakov
Rimski-Korsakov, The tale of the tsar Saltan, op. 57: « Flight of the Bumblebee »
What emotion does the piece chosen to mark the end of the story of Little Red Riding Hood bring up?
Maybe you have noticed that all the instruments in the orchestra have an important part in this piece. What instrument do you hear most?
Joy
Relief
Pride
All of the above!
CLICK HERE to hear the OSM PERFORM ODE TO joy
Beethoven, Symphony no. 4, 1st movement (excerpt)
Games
Activities
To each his own cry!
Breaking News!
One Riding Hood and so many different versions!
Forest Brain Teasers
Wanted Poster!
Did you know…?
Make your way from Little Red Riding Hood’s house to her grandmother’s by solving these riddles. Drag the correct answer onto the correct pad. Be careful not to come across the Bad Wolf, who could be hiding behind a tree!
Forest Brain Teasers
Who am I?
My first syllable is also the first two letters of the opposite of night.My second syllable is anotherword for enemy. My third syllable is a common herb used to flavour pickles.Put together, I am a yellow flower that blooms in early spring.
I can fly but I don’t have wings. I can push on things but I don’t have hands. I am invisible.
My first syllable is a swarm of honey-making insects.My second syllable is the French word for “are” or “is” in the phrases “you are” or “s/he is.” Put together, I am a composer of one of the pieces played in the Little Red Riding Hood concert.
My first syllable is the name of the meat that comes from a pig. My second syllable is not me, it’s … . My third syllable is also the name for a tree that has needles and cones. Put together, I am a “spiky” forest animal.
Bizet
A daffodil
A porcupine
The wind
To each his own cry!
You can be sure of one thing: wolves certainly do not go “glug, glug, glug” like the outrageous Wolf you encountered during the concert!
Animals are natural musicians! Their songs or their cries are ways of communicating.
Match the name of the cry or sound to each of the animals below! A Little Red Riding Hood will appear for each of your correct answers!
Hoot
Howl
Buzz
Growl
Croak
One Riding Hood and so many different versions
If your teacher has these books in the classroom, you can read them to find out, or she or he could read them to you.
Using the summary of some different versions in the capsule on adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood, fill out a comparison chart surveying the similarities and differences between each of the versions.
Breaking News!
Remember to write an outline that will help you include all the important information. - Where did this event take place?- Who was there at the time? - What happened? - Was anyone injured? - How was the Wolf dressed when he was last seen by the victims and witnesses?
You are the first journalist to arrive on the scene after it was found that the Big Bad Wolf, the one who tried to eat Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, has escaped. You are tasked with writing a front-page article.
Then, share your story with the rest of the class.
Wanted Poster!
Here are some tips to help you draw your wanted poster:
That scoundrel of a Wolf managed to get away before anyone could catch him! The village authorities have issued a Wanted notice in order to find him as quickly as possible! But they need you! Help them by drawing a portrait that accurately depicts the Wolf so they can catch him once and for all!
1) Include a brief description of the Wolf: how was he dressed? 2) You can create a bust portrait (from head to shoulders) or a body-length portrait. 3) Include the amount of the reward offered.
What does “Pull the bobbin and the latch will go up” mean?
A bobbin and latch were two wooden pieces used to lock doors in past centuries.
A “bobbin” in this case is a wooden pin that can be blocked from the inside so that people outside it cannot pull on or open the door.
A “latch” is a movable piece of wood held against the leaf (inside) of a door by a pin, which drops once it is lifted (by the bobbin) to open the door.
When the bobbin is pulled, this movement makes the latch “go up,” releasing it from its position of constraining the door, before it drops, or falls.
If she had a modern door, Grandmother would have said: “Turn the knob and the door will open.”
Did you know...?
Little Red Riding Hood
Orchestre Montréal
Created on October 28, 2021
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Transcript
RED RIDING
HOOD
THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE
Educational guide
Discover
Red Riding
HOOD
The Adventures of Little
The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood
You thought you knew everything about Little Red Riding Hood? Well, join us in exploring her world by wandering through the different sections we’ve developed for you, and discover secrets you never knew existed! It is not just the forest that is mysterious!
Adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood
who is the big bad wolf?
LISTENING GUIDE
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
The Characters
The story
2.LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD IS MORE THAN JUST ADORABLE…
1.GRANDMOTHER’S STORY BOOK
3.IS THE WOLF FRIENDLY?
4.THE WOLF’S RUSE
6. YOU’VE GOT A DEAL, GRANDMOTHER!
5.WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE, GRANDMOTHER…
GRANDMOTHER’S STORY BOOK
What is more heartwarming than a good story enthusiastically told by a specialist of adventure and memory? And if we add to this a symphony orchestra, it becomes simply magical! But you still have to choose one, Grandmother … there are hundreds of tales!
Ravel, Tombeau de Couperin : I. PrElude
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD IS MORE THAN JUST ADORABLE…
Mother is not asking for much: a little visit to see Grandmother, without going through the forest! But our young girl is headstrong, she cannot resist the temptation: a shortcut, full of beautiful sights and small animals, is much nicer, Mrs. Owl!
Prokofiev, SymphonY, no.1, IV. finaLe
IS THE WOLF FRIENDLY?
The Wolf seems friendly; and to arrive at Grandmother’s before the sun sets, Little Red Riding Hood will gladly accept his “help”! All forests have dark sides… And that is how Red Riding Hood falls into the trap.
TchaïkovskY, SymphonY no. 4 : Andante (exCERPT)
Bizet, La jolie fille de Perth : « Quand la flamme de l’amour » (exCERPt)
Bartók, Music for strings, percussions AND cElesta : III. Adagio (exCERPt)
THE WOLF’S RUSE
Grandmother did not suspect anything either, despite her wise old age. The red hood, high voice, pull the bobbin and presto! The Wolf succeeds in tricking our poor, ailing Grandmother. And we know the rest…
Gounod, Le médecin malgré lui : « Qu’ils sont doux » (excerpt)
Messiaen, L’ascension : III. Transports de joie
WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE, GRANDMOTHER…
With help from animals of the forest, Red Riding Hood finally arrives at Grandmother’s. Only, she does not recognize her … those eyes, that smell, those big, fur-covered arms… Disaster!!! Under her bonnet is the Big Bad Wolf! Fortunately for her, the Hunter was passing by! Thanks to Little Red Riding Hood’s bravery and quick wit, the Hunter shoots down the Wolf and frees the two captives. s.
Rimski-Korsakov, The tale of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57: flight of the bumblebee
YOU’VE GOT A DEAL, GRANDMOTHER!
Little Red Riding Hood realizes her mistakes. She feared for her life and put her grandmother in danger. But Grandmother will readily forgive everything … only on one condition!!!
beethoveN, symphonY no.4: 1st movement (excerpt)
The Characters
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
GRANDMOTHER
WOLF
MOTHER
Alexandra Sicard, actor
Alexandra Sicard is a 17-year-old actor of many talents. In 2011, she became known to many young people for her appearance in Les Argonautes, a series broadcast on Télé-Québec.
She later won the part of Jane in the musical Mary Poppins, as well as the roles of Marta and Gretl in La Mélodie du bonheur (The Sound of Music). She has also acted in several films, television series and web series, including Little Waves (Les petites vagues), L’imposteur and L’effet secondaire.
She practises dance and singing, two skills that she sometimes uses in her roles.
Martine Francke, actor
This actor has led a long career and is never short on charm and charisma! Martine Francke is a versatile actor who never fails to captivate audiences of all ages! She has appeared in films, on television and on the live theatre stage. Thanks to her many years with the Ligue nationale d’improvisation (National Improvisation League), she is adept at improvising in her roles and can easily slip in and out of the minds a variety of characters. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that she is able to play both Red Riding Hood’s mother and the role of the owl in the same performance!!!
Danièle Panneton, actor
After graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1975, Danièle Panneton has worked steadily in the different areas of her profession. A theatre actor most of all, she has acted in many plays and put on about a dozen shows in Montreal and throughout the province. A multi-talented artist, she also honed her skills as part of the LNI (National Improvisation League), with the Théâtre UBU, on television, radio, and film. Her voice can be heard in many voice-overs and commercials, and she has recorded about a hundred audiobooks. She has taught theatre performance for over 40 years in various theatre schools, including a continuing education workshop with the Union des artistes, and voice acting at the Conservatoire since 1997. An experienced storyteller, she is an expert at captivating an audience’s attention.
Dominique Côté, baritone and actor
Born in Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, Quebec, baritone Dominique Côté is admired by audiences and critics for his warm voice and moving performances. He excelled in various competitions throughout his career and continues to earn accolades with his awe-inspiring performances. He has also appeared on television and has done voice acting in the roles of several cartoon characters. Dominique enjoys navigating all musical worlds to which his voice enables him to go. Indeed, in Little Red Riding Hood, he plays a Wolf character who is just as disconcerting as he is hilarious!
Adaptations of
Little Red Riding Hood
and the different versions that exist
Discover
Little Red Riding Hood is a classic tale that comes from oral culture, meaning that the story was first passed down by word of mouth. In 1697, author Charles Perreault, who was one of the first to put this tale in writing, included it in his collection Les Contes de ma mère l’Oye (The Tales of Mother Goose). Click on the pictures if you want to find out more about the two authors!
To watch an animated version of Perreault's tale.
Charles Perreault
To watch an animated version inspired by the Brothers Grimm.
Brothers Grimm
Different versions, different elements…
The story in image
The modernized story
The story in sounds
The story revisited
Riding Hood in film
Jean Claverie, a more recent author and illustrator, thought up an even more modern version of this popular fairy tale. The forest is replaced by a big city. Red Riding Hood’s mother asks her to bring a pizza and a little pot of tomato sauce to her grandmother! Little Red Riding Hood wears a red jacket. The Wolf is a certain Mr. Wolf, who owns a scrapyard. The young girl stops to play among the old cars.
The modernized story
Bye Bye Red Riding Hood Bye Bye Red Riding Hood is a modern-day version of this well-known tale. Ever since she was little, Fanny has lived with her mother, a professional meteorologist, in an enchanted forest where her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother also live. One day, Fanny, who is 12 years old, veers from the usual path that leads to her grandmother’s and wanders off into the woods.
To watch the film's trailer :
The story in image
In the album Red Riding Hood, by Adolfo Serra, the story of Red Riding Hood is pictured in an original way. The reader discovers that the way to the grandmother's house is actually ... the tail of the wolf and that the trees in the forest are made of hair ...
In the picture book The Bus Ride by Marianne Dubuc, a little girl dressed in a red cardigan takes a bus to get to her grandmother’s. During her short trip, she meets several characters from classic fairy tales, including a cunning fox. There is no text, the whole story is told in pictures.
The story in sounds
Discover a version in podcast format, produced in French by Théâtre Bouches Décousues: Petit Capuchon rouge by Jasmine Dubé.
In the audio book Les vacances du Petit Chaperon rouge by Johanne Gagné, you can listen to a story (in French) that is very different from the original, in which all the characters are on vacation!
The story revisited
Discover the summary of 11 different versions of Little Red Riding Hood told around the world.
The story in film
To watch the trailer for this version of Little Red Riding Hood, click on the image below!
Hoodwinked!The entire forest is turned upside down since an investigation began its interrogations of all the story’s characters… Red Riding Hood is reworked as a suspense film.
WHO IS THE BIG BAD WOLF?
The wolf in storytelling
Are wolves truly mean?
Let's walk in the woods, while the wolf is not there ...
Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, A Wolf in Lamb's Clothing... The wolf is a character found in storytelling traditions around the world.
In each of these stories, the wolf is a frightening, dangerous wild animal that attacks children, the elderly as well as other animals. In some, the wolf even dresses up and tricks others into believing they are harmless... and attacks when least expected!
Storytelling serves many purposes, from entertainment to teaching lessons. So why do so many stories feature the wolf as a villain?
Many of these stories come from times and places in which people lived in small settlements surrounded by vast areas of wilderness. Fear of wolf attacks was common. Originally, these stories may have helped keep adults and children safe by reminding them that their behaviour could have dangerous consequences. .
Sometimes a wolf is not just a wolf. In many stories like Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf talks, walks and even dresses up in human clothing.
Discover or rediscover a famous wolf among the musicians of the OSM! Watch this video for an introduction to Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev.
There is always a purpose to these stories: when we listen to a story, we feel like we are living it ourselves. If we ever meet a person like the wolf, we know what to do. Or, depending on the story, just what not to do!
Are wolves truly mean?
The poor wolf! Wolves in many tales are portrayed as frightening, mean and deceitful. Over centuries, wolves have been so feared that they have been hunted to extermination in multiple countries around the world. Are wolves truly a mean animal?
In their natural environment, wolves live in packs. Carnivorous animals, wolves need meat to survive and play an important part of the food chain. Older wolves take care of younger pups by bringing them food. Contrary to popular belief, wolves rarely attack humans and prefer natural prey to domesticated livestock.
Wolves are close cousins to dogs. Both members of the Canine family, wolves and dogs demonstrate similar characteristics such as playfulness, curiosity and loyalty.
These aspects of wolves are also found in stories. Orianne Lallemand's book The Wolf who voyages Back in Time from The Wolf who... (Le loup qui... ) series shows the wolf as a curious adventurer. Philippe Matter's comic Mini-Loup features a playful little wolf pup. For older readers, Bill Willingham’s comic series Fables features wolves as a loyal protector.
Maybe this animal is more than just a big bad wolf!
Click here to hear a wolf cry
LISTENING GUIDE
Come and walk through the pieces of the concert and learn more about the composers ...
Discover
Observe the musicians and try to spot our two starting instruments! Here is a clue: they belong to the woodwind family…
Does it seem like the oboe and clarinet are chatting among themselves while they wait for the strings to join them so that everyone can play together?
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON the woodwindS family
Ravel, Le tombeau de Couperin : I. Prelude
Woodwinds
Instruments from the woodwind family are wind instruments. These instruments are called “woodwinds” because on their mouthpieces they have a small piece of wood called a reed. To produce sound, musicians blow to make one (or two) thin strip(s) of wood vibrate.
A video worth a thousand words
Mathieu harel and the woodwinds instruments
bassoon
Strange : the flute does not have a reed! !
THE flute
clarinets
OBOE
Did you know ?
THE SAXOPHONE
The Flute and the Piccolo
The word transverse describes the horizontal position of the instrument across the players face and to the right. It’s as if the player’s mouth and face are being “traversed” by the instrument!
Why then does the flute belong to the woodwind family if it is made of metal ?
There is a whole family of flute sizes, including a very small flute with very high notes: the piccolo.
A video worth a thousand words !
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The Clarinets
In an orchestra you will find three types of clarinets: the E-flat clarinet, with a high sound, the B-flat clarinet, which is more common, and the bass clarinet, with a very low sound, and much bigger than the B-flat! All three types are made of ebony: a very rare type of wood that grows naturally in southern Africa. It gives them their rich sound…
… Like in this excerpt from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony no. 2
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The Oboe and the English horn
The timbre of the oboe and its cousin the English horn have a characteristic in common: they sound rather nasal! In fact, that’s why the oboe was chosen by Sergei Prokofiev to portray the duck in his famous story of Peter and the Wolf. But, when these instruments are played solo, they can surprise listeners with beautiful soft melodies. Even though their timbres are similar, the sounds produced by the English horn are lower than those of the oboe, because the instrument is longer.
Notice the difference between the sonority of the oboe and the English horn by listening to these two excerpts.
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The Bassoon and the Contrabassoon
The bassoon is a long tube, folded over on itself (2.5 meters) made of maple or of rosewood, that ends in a metal pipe called a crook, where we find the mouthpiece. A bassoonist holds their instrument leaning to one side over their right hip.
Listen to the first measures of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas
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On this music, Little Red Riding Hood discovers the forest and its surprising creatures.
Do you think it is possible to walk to the rhythm played by the strings, then by the winds?
Click here to participate in a musical quiz
Prokofiev, Symphony no.1 in D major, op. 25, « Classical » : IV. Finale
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Excerpt 1
What family of instruments do you hear ?
a) Strings
d) Percussion
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
OOPS ! Try again...
YES, Bravo ! You heard woodwinds.
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Excerpt 2
What family of instruments do you hear ?
d) Percussion
a) Strings
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
Yes, Bravo ! Your heard THE strings.
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Excerpt 3
What family of instruments do you hear ?
a) Strings
d) Percussion
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
YES, Bravo ! YOU HEARD BRASS.
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Excerpt 4
What family of instruments do you hear ?
d) Percussion
a) Strings
c) Brass
b) Woodwinds
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Yes, Bravo ! Your heard percussion instruments.
Feel free to count the number of times you can hear the theme being played by the horns!
This tune seems to announce something or maybe someone important … perhaps the Wolf?
Tchaïkovsky, Symphony no. 4 in f minor, op. 36 : I. Andante sostenuto – Moderato con anima
The French Horn
The French horn has a mouthpiece, keys, a big bell, and many meters of metal tubing rolled up and folded on to itself. A French horn player sticks their hand into the bell to hold the instrument but also to adjust the sound it makes. The instrument is often associated with hunting!
Listen to the powerful sound of the horns here in this excerpt of Beethoven's third symphony!
Do you think the singer needs to have a high voice (tenor) or a low voice (baritone) to be able to perform this music?
In our musical version of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, this song is the bad Wolf’s!
Bizet, La jolie fille de Perth, Suite : « Quand la flamme de l’amour »
How would you describe the atmosphere in the forest at that moment?
As you listen to the following excerpt, can you identify the sounds of forest animals that are associated with musical instruments? For example, the violin referred to bees, the double bass evoked the papa bear ...
To listen to another BaRtÓk piece
Bartók, Music for strings, percussions and celesta : III. Adagio (excerpt)
Notice how the string family is playing the music. The strings are not stroked with a bow. Do you know what this technique is called?
What do you think about this choice of music for announcing the arrival of the Wolf? What movie genre does this piece make you think of?
click here To learn more about the stringS
Gounod, Le médecin malgré lui : « Qu’ils sont doux » (excerpt)
The Strings
the Octobass
A video worth a thousand words
SYLVIE LAMBERT AND THE BOWED STRINGS
the double bass
The cello
The viola
The violin
The Violin
The violin is the smallest instrument of the string family, and the one with the highest sounding notes. In an orchestra, the violins are divided into two sections; the first and the second violins. Composers usually write a different musical part for each of these two sections. Violinists usually play sitting down, holding their instrument between their shoulder and chin, but they can also play standing up!
A video worth a thousand words
Andrew wan, concertmaster
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The Viola
The viola is slightly bigger than the violin, is held in the same way, and can play notes that are slightly lower. In an orchestra the violas often play a supporting role to the melody played by the violins, but in some cases, composers like to use them as solo instruments as well.
Compare the sound of the violin to the sound of the viola. Do you notice any differences?
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The Cello
The cello is much bigger than the viola - so big that it would be impossible to hold it between the shoulder and the chin! The cellist plays in a seated position and leans the instrument against their body. The cello has a metal pole called a spike. As the name suggests, this pole spikes into the ground to support the instrument.
Listen here to one of the most famous pieces written for the cello: The Cello Concerto by Antonín Dvořák!
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The Double Bass
The double bass is even bigger than the cello (about 2 meters). That’s why double bass players have to sit on a high stool to play or remain standing!
Here, you can hear the double bass playing an excerpt from the very first symphony composed by Gustav Mahler.
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The Octobass
That’s not all! The OSM is very lucky to have a fifth bowed string instrument. It’s much rarer and much bigger than the double bass… it is over three meters hight! It’s called an octobass. This imposing instrument is used in certain concerts only!
A video worth a thousand words
Eric Chappell and the OCTOBASS
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Something dreadful happens at the moment the organist begins to play this piece… Did you notice the colour of the lighting around the organ?
Look closely at Jean-Willy Kunz as he plays the lowest notes, where is he placing his feet?
And when he plays the high notes, what part of the organ is he playing on?
to hear MessiaEn himself play the organ, Click here!
Messiaen, L’ascension : III. Transports de joie (excerpt)
Do you notice how the instruments play very quickly in this piece of music? It almost sounds like a chase!
Imagine the scene where Little Red Riding Hood tries to escape the Wolf...
to hear another piece by composer Rimsky-Korsakov
Rimski-Korsakov, The tale of the tsar Saltan, op. 57: « Flight of the Bumblebee »
What emotion does the piece chosen to mark the end of the story of Little Red Riding Hood bring up?
Maybe you have noticed that all the instruments in the orchestra have an important part in this piece. What instrument do you hear most?
Joy
Relief
Pride
All of the above!
CLICK HERE to hear the OSM PERFORM ODE TO joy
Beethoven, Symphony no. 4, 1st movement (excerpt)
Games
Activities
To each his own cry!
Breaking News!
One Riding Hood and so many different versions!
Forest Brain Teasers
Wanted Poster!
Did you know…?
Make your way from Little Red Riding Hood’s house to her grandmother’s by solving these riddles. Drag the correct answer onto the correct pad. Be careful not to come across the Bad Wolf, who could be hiding behind a tree!
Forest Brain Teasers
Who am I?
My first syllable is also the first two letters of the opposite of night.My second syllable is anotherword for enemy. My third syllable is a common herb used to flavour pickles.Put together, I am a yellow flower that blooms in early spring.
I can fly but I don’t have wings. I can push on things but I don’t have hands. I am invisible.
My first syllable is a swarm of honey-making insects.My second syllable is the French word for “are” or “is” in the phrases “you are” or “s/he is.” Put together, I am a composer of one of the pieces played in the Little Red Riding Hood concert.
My first syllable is the name of the meat that comes from a pig. My second syllable is not me, it’s … . My third syllable is also the name for a tree that has needles and cones. Put together, I am a “spiky” forest animal.
Bizet
A daffodil
A porcupine
The wind
To each his own cry!
You can be sure of one thing: wolves certainly do not go “glug, glug, glug” like the outrageous Wolf you encountered during the concert!
Animals are natural musicians! Their songs or their cries are ways of communicating.
Match the name of the cry or sound to each of the animals below! A Little Red Riding Hood will appear for each of your correct answers!
Hoot
Howl
Buzz
Growl
Croak
One Riding Hood and so many different versions
If your teacher has these books in the classroom, you can read them to find out, or she or he could read them to you.
Using the summary of some different versions in the capsule on adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood, fill out a comparison chart surveying the similarities and differences between each of the versions.
Breaking News!
Remember to write an outline that will help you include all the important information. - Where did this event take place?- Who was there at the time? - What happened? - Was anyone injured? - How was the Wolf dressed when he was last seen by the victims and witnesses?
You are the first journalist to arrive on the scene after it was found that the Big Bad Wolf, the one who tried to eat Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, has escaped. You are tasked with writing a front-page article.
Then, share your story with the rest of the class.
Wanted Poster!
Here are some tips to help you draw your wanted poster:
That scoundrel of a Wolf managed to get away before anyone could catch him! The village authorities have issued a Wanted notice in order to find him as quickly as possible! But they need you! Help them by drawing a portrait that accurately depicts the Wolf so they can catch him once and for all!
1) Include a brief description of the Wolf: how was he dressed? 2) You can create a bust portrait (from head to shoulders) or a body-length portrait. 3) Include the amount of the reward offered.
What does “Pull the bobbin and the latch will go up” mean?
A bobbin and latch were two wooden pieces used to lock doors in past centuries. A “bobbin” in this case is a wooden pin that can be blocked from the inside so that people outside it cannot pull on or open the door. A “latch” is a movable piece of wood held against the leaf (inside) of a door by a pin, which drops once it is lifted (by the bobbin) to open the door.
When the bobbin is pulled, this movement makes the latch “go up,” releasing it from its position of constraining the door, before it drops, or falls.
If she had a modern door, Grandmother would have said: “Turn the knob and the door will open.”
Did you know...?