OSCAR WILDE FAIRY TALES

If Oscar Wilde's fairy tales are not as widely read as they should be, this fine program should help remedy that. The four stories here are exquisite, particularly "The Birthday of the Infanta," the onehour tale of a frivolous princess and a young boy whose heart breaks when he discovers the truth of his own ugliness. Zoe Caldwell, the accomplished Australian stage actor, is sensitive and confident, although she fights with the musical score, which is often distracting. The power of Wilde's words and Caldwell's interpretation, however, combine to make this a fine recording. D.B. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]