Adam: La Jolie Fille de Gand (complete ballet). Andrew Mogrelia, Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Marco Polo 8.223772-73 (2-disc set).

Adam: La Jolie Fille de Gand (complete ballet). Andrew Mogrelia, Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Marco Polo 8.223772-73 (2-disc set).

Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) is by far better known for his classic ballet Giselle (1841) than for this work of about the same time period, La Jolie Fille de Gand. So, why is this? Is La Jolie that much inferior to Giselle that the one should continue as a staple of the classical repertoire while the other should fade into obscurity? The answer is simply, yes. Sometimes, the public is right. One comes away from Giselle humming memorable tunes. Just trying to remember anything at all from La Jolie is a chore.

This is not to suggest that there is anything unpleasant about La Jolie, however. On the contrary, it is filled with charming, pleasant music, almost all of it lighter than air fluff and wholly forgettable. Anyone who enjoys ballet or light classical music will undoubtedly enjoy this piece. Still and all, a two-disc set of the complete ballet may endanger one's sugar intake considerably or try one's patience. Perhaps it is a ballet better seen than listened to straight through or better taken in small doses.

The story line should give you an idea of how deep the music's going to be. The plot, set in Ghent, is about a dancer named Beatrix, who is betrothed to Benedict, the nephew of a rich goldsmith. She is distracted, however, by the attentions of the Marquis of San Lucar. There follow scenes of conflict with both men, a series of dreams, and an attempted elopement. But, naturally, it all has a happy ending, and the proper girl and boy get to marry. I'm sorry. I tried to follow the plot line but I got bored. Better to just listen to the music. Better yet, try to see it on stage some time.

The sonics are quite good. I liked the stability of the sound stage and the rock-solid imaging left, right, and center. Front-to-back depth is more limited, as is the deepest bass and the highest treble. The audio has plenty of mid-bass warmth, though, to satisfy fans of concert hall acoustic ambiance. Definition, too, is good, if not so transparent as some all-out demonstration-class discs, and dynamics are moderately robust. This is a pleasant set for a rainy afternoon with the feet up on the coffee table. Just don't expect more than it can deliver.