THE FIREBIRD

Using all the components of a fairy tale, THE FIREBIRD manages to capture the imagination and leads the listener into a finely woven quest of heroes, damsels (though not in distress), evildoers, and clever magical creatures. Richard Aspel brings the reader into the mystical goings-on and makes each character stand out. He differentiates Ivan, the kind and gentle youngest son of the czar, and the evil brothers, Yuri and Igor, especially well. He creates the antiquated vocal elegance that is necessary in narrating a fairy tale, and the listener is treated to a pleasing, although somewhat formulaic, account of an elusive bird and a romantic fantasy. D.L.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]