Schools to experience 'Little Red Riding Hood'

Opera Coeur d'Alene is bringing the drama of live, interactive opera to local schools with "Little Red Riding Hood."

The title role of the sweet little girl with a basket and a red cape is sung by Courtney Ruckman, from Germantown, Md. She is fresh off singing with Skagit Opera. She has appeared with the Bel Cantanti Summer Opera and many others.

The wolf is sung by Ryan Bede, who has performed roles with Tacoma Opera, the Astoria Music Festival and Opera Northwest. Besides playing the slick and sinister wolf, he masquerades as the sick grandmother in bed and changes costume to become the triumphant woodsman.

A lovable grandmother with enough attitude to go after the wolf with a mop, is played by Audra de Laveaga, Originally from Salem, Ore., her previous roles include Madame Pompous (Too Many Sopranos), Third Spirit (The Magic Flute) and Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes).

Piano accompaniment is by Margarita Vasilyeva-Huber. She moved to North Idaho in 2001 and has been featured in many local, regional and national programs.

This was written in 1954 by children's opera writer Seymour Barab. It also carries some subtle, or not so subtle, messages about the importance of kids doing what their parents say, and being careful of strangers.

The program is presented as part of Opera Coeur d'Alene's educational program, called "Opera-tunities," which has been teaching children and young people in area schools, annually for more than 10 years. This year it is made possible by grants from Inland Northwest Community Foundation, Target and Hecla Mining.

This month they will go to schools in Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Athol, Twin Lakes, Tensed, Plummer, Harrison, Pinehurst, Kellogg, Osburn, Mullan, Spokane Valley, Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls.

Information: operacda.com