"One of Stravinsky's most tender scores – a love letter to the Russia of his childhood – The Fairy's Kiss lovingly adapts more than a dozen songs and piano pieces by Tchaikovsky. The action of the ballet depicts a child kissed by a Fairy; later, on his wedding day, he is carried off to the Land of Eternal Dwelling. The story suggested to Stravinsky "an allegory with Tchaikovsky himself. The Fairy's kiss on the heel of the child is also the Muse marking Tchaikovsky at his birth" – and later terminating his mortal existence at the height of his powers. The static coda (not to be found in the Divertimento) is among Stravinsky's most sublime inspirations."
Information from Boosey & Hawkes
For anyone in the Chicago area, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra is performing Stravinsky's The Fairy's Kiss this Wednesday and Friday night in Millenium Park-lawn seating is free. The music depicts Hans Christian Andersen's The Ice Maiden (not to be confused with his The Snow Queen), the full text of which can be found here. It is also performed as a ballet:
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