Composer

:

Igor Stravinsky

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1928

First Performance

:

Nov 27, 1928

Average_duration

:

41:51

Le baiser de la fée, or The Fairy's Kiss, is a ballet composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1928. The plot is based on a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Ice-Maiden," and tells the story of a young man who is kissed by a fairy at his birth and becomes obsessed with her throughout his life. The ballet is divided into four movements: "The Fairy's Kiss," "The Bride's Departure," "The Wedding Feast," and "The Kiss of the Bride." The first movement introduces the main character, a young man named Peter, and the fairy who kisses him at his birth. The second movement shows Peter as a young man, leaving his village to seek his fortune. The third movement takes place at a wedding feast, where Peter meets a bride and falls in love with her. The final movement shows the bride and Peter kissing, but the fairy appears and takes Peter away, leaving the bride alone. The music of Le baiser de la fée is characterized by Stravinsky's use of folk melodies and his incorporation of Russian musical traditions. The ballet premiered in Paris in 1928, with choreography by George Balanchine. The ballet was not well-received at its premiere, with critics finding the music too complex and the story too obscure. However, the ballet has since become a classic of the ballet repertoire, with many productions staged around the world. Overall, Le baiser de la fée is a haunting and beautiful ballet that explores themes of love, obsession, and the supernatural. Stravinsky's music is complex and challenging, but also deeply emotional and evocative. The ballet remains a testament to the enduring power of Stravinsky's music and the artistry of George Balanchine's choreography.

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