Paul Dukas (1865-1935) was born in Paris, France. At the Paris Conservatory, he studied piano, harmony, and composition. He was the music critic for the Revue Hebdomadaire and Gazette des Beaux-Arts while also a professor of orchestration at the Conservatoire. His strong critical sense caused him to destroy a number of his compositions, allowing only a relatively small number to be published. His symphonic scherzo L'Apprenti Sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) is his most popular work, especially since it was a central part of Walt Disney's Fantasia with Mickey Mouse in the title role. Dukas also wrote the ballet La peri and the opera Ariane, about Bluebeard's sixth wife.