L'amour est un oiseau rebelle — Habanera (Carmen)
by Georges Bizet
Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)RomanticAria~4 minintermediate
Carmen's entrance aria from Act I, built on a descending chromatic melody over a habanera rhythm. Carmen declares that love is a rebellious bird that no one can tame. Bizet adapted the melody from a song by Sebastián Yradier, believing it to be a genuine folk tune. The aria's sultry allure and dramatic flair have made it one of the most iconic moments in all of opera.
Editions
Choudens
Original publication, 1875
The original French vocal score. Primary source for Carmen.
★★★★★
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G. Schirmer
Licensed edition, 1958
French/English vocal score widely used in American opera houses and studios.
★★★★★
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Peters
Fritz Oeser, 1964
Critical edition that restores dialogue passages often replaced by recitatives in the Guiraud version.
★★★★★
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