This weekend, the Honolulu Symphony concert stage will be home to the tales of a rat, a wolf and a bird. But not just any bird. This one comes alive with musical sparks like none other in history.

The work in question is a 20th-century masterpiece of true brilliance that is filled with the panoramic colors of the orchestra: Igor Stravinsky's “;The Firebird”; (”;L'oiseau de feu”;).

To accomplish this feat, we have recruited dozens of guest musicians to join us in a rare performance of this groundbreaking and innovative work. You might be familiar with “;The Firebird”; thanks to its popularity in modern culture, but it's relatively rare to have the chance to hear it performed in a concert hall in its entirety.

Composed circa 1909 to 1910 and premiered in Paris in 1910, “;The Firebird”; is a ballet with original choreography by Michael Fokine, created by the great impresario Sergei Diaghilev for his ballet company, Ballets Russes. Stravinsky composed the work at the young age of 26, and it marked his breakthrough as a composer.

Following the premiere of the piece, Stravinsky was launched into overnight fame, similar to the sudden and amazing rise to fame you see among pop stars today.

“;The Firebird”; also marked one of the most significant collaborations of the century. Stravinsky and Diaghilev would go on to produce two other remarkable ballets: “;Petrushka”; and “;The Rite of Spring.”;

At this weekend's concerts, we'll perform the complete score for the ballet, which includes piano and celeste and runs close to 45 minutes.

Over the years, the Honolulu Symphony has performed the three shorter “;Firebird”; suites, which are typically 25 minutes in length, that Stravinsky wrote for concert performances in later years.

But it has been many years since Honolulu has had the opportunity to experience the full score performed by such a large orchestra.

This weekend, you can look forward to a thrilling, five-star performance as you hear the story of the “;Firebird”; come to life in all its glory, just as it was heard at the Paris premiere close to 100 years ago.

What about the stories of the rat and the wolf, you ask? We'll save those intriguing tales for the concert hall. Please join us in sharing this musical adventure together.