Dance of the Hours from 'La Gioconda'

The composition showcases the hours of the day through a series of solo and ensemble dances, originally crafted for the ballet finale of Ponchielli's opera La Gioconda. Its popularity soared beyond the opera house, becoming a beloved concert piece and an independent ballet. The work gained iconic status after its inclusion in Disney's 1940 film Fantasia, where it was humorously reimagined with dancing hippos, ostriches, alligators, and elephants, solidifying its place in popular culture.