THE FIREBIRD

Allusive and tantalizing, yet present at precisely the right moments to aid the heroine in her newly determined quest for the prince--the traits of the Firebird are renowned in folklore and brought to life in this perky musical adaptation. Scene follows scene at a dizzying pace--from the king's apple orchard to Baba Yaga's house to the palace of the Queen of Dawn and the Barron's castle. Folktale elements include golden apples, a shape-changing wolf, and a happily-ever-after ending. Musically, the tale treats the ear well, with selections that range from trumpet fanfares to swing. The tunes and lyrics are such that the listener first plays the recording again and then starts to hum and sing along. Here are all the hallmarks of an appealing musical. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]