Muddah mia!

Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886) was an Italian composer renowned for his popular operas. He wrote his first symphony at age ten. As a young man, he studied at the august Milan Conservatory. In 1881, he was appointed maestro di cappella of the Bergamo Cathedral. Later, as a professor of composition, he taught Giacomo Puccini who later composed the famous "Nessun dorma." In his lifetime, Ponchielli was popular and influential, a serious composer who introduced enlarged and more complex orchestrations. Among his most well-known works is a short ballet from Act 3, Scene 2 of the opera "Dance of the Hours" (Danza Delle Ore). About 2 minutes into the piece, you'll recognize it. Alas, those of a certain age also know it as the tune for the novelty camp song: "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh." How'd you like that as an epitaph?

Hello Muddah,
Hello Fadduh.
Here I am at
Camp Granada.
Camp is very
entertaining.
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining.

Sigh. Poor Ponchielli. The dude never could catch a break.