Habañera, from Carmen (viola cello duo)

Title: Habañera, from the opera Carmen

Composer: Georges Bizet, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Viola and Cello

Printout: 4 pages

Note: Bizet’s intention was to base some of the music in Carmen on Spanish folk idioms, and initially he thought that the song El Arreglito, which he used for this aria, was traditional. He later learned that it was composed by Spanish composer Sebastian Yridier (1809 – 1865) and made a note to that effect in the published version of the vocal score. The habañera originated in Argentina and quickly became popular throughout Europe. This aria is one of the best known not only in Carmen, but also in the entire operatic repertory.

This setting for viola and cello works especially well because the darker timbre of the viola suits Carmen’s mezzo soprano/alto register.. It is also available in the Bargain Bundle Carmen, Selected Highlights for Viola and Cello at considerable savings.