Habañera, from Carmen (viola duo)

Title: Haban\ñera, from the opera Carmen

Composer: Georges Bizet, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Two Violas

Printout: 4 pages

Note: The Habañera from Bizet’s Carmen is one of the high points not only of this opera but of all the opera repertory. Bizet originally thought the tune to be a Spanish folk song, but he later learned that it was composed by Spanish Basque composer Sebastian Yridier. To his lasting credit, Bizet acknowledged Yridier in the published version of the vocal score.

For a rousing finish to an opera set, pair this piece with The Toreador’s Song from Carmen.