Habanera (L’amour set un oiseau rebelle) is an aria from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opéra comique Carmen. Bizet, a French composer (1838-1875), took the now famous melody from what he believed to be a folk song. The melody was actually written by Sebastián Iradier (1809-1865), a Spanish musicians and composer. Carmen was first performed in Paris in 1875 - shortly before Bizet’s death. Sadly, he was unaware that his work would quickly achieve international acclaim.

Habanera begins in minor and changes to major in measure 20 (from Dm to D Major in the original; from Cm to C Major in this arrangement). Although the melody was borrowed, Bizet’s harmonic style, with the addition of the habanera rhythm, has made this aria incredibly popular and instantly recognizable to many.

This adaptation is arranged into five parts plus percussion:

Part 1

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin

Part 2

Clarinet, Trumpet, Alto Sax., Violin

Part 3

Tenor Sax., Clarinet, Alto Sax., Horn, Viola

Part 4

Tenor Sax., Euphonium (T.C.), Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Cello

Part 5

Euphonium (T.C.), Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax., Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Cello, Contrabass, Tuba

Percussion:

Bass Drum

Tambourine

Triangle

Mallet Percussion

Timpani (2 drums)

All instrument ranges stay within Grade 3 literature.

Score and set of parts - 65 pages.

Note - this arrangement has been transposed from the keys of D Minor and D Major to C Minor and C Major.