Dance of the Hours (McAlister)

Amilcare Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" comes from his 1876 opera "La Gioconda" and ranks among the most famous ballet interludes in operatic literature. Originally conceived as a divertissement in the third act, the ballet depicts the eternal cycle of day and night through the dance representation of different times of day. The music runs through various characters – from tender dawn through lively day to mysterious night.

This arrangement by McAlister makes this effective piece accessible for concert performances while preserving the orchestral richness and dramatic impact of the original. Ponchielli's memorable melodies and brilliant orchestration have brought the work great popularity – not least through Walt Disney's "Fantasia," where it served as the soundtrack for the famous hippopotamus ballet sequence.

With its mixture of lyrical passages and virtuosic dance rhythms, the "Dance of the Hours" offers both orchestra and audience a rewarding and impactful concert experience that showcases the full range of Romantic orchestral artistry.