Habanera Theme from "Carmen" (Bizet) Harp Cover - The Michigan Harpist

Visit https://www.TheMichiganHarpist.com for professional clips/photos, event/booking info, and lesson information! For the best audio quality, capturing the warmth of the harp, listen with headphones! *** Wowwee, I had so much fun making this harp cover for you! This classic and often-referenced aria was composed by Georges Bizet for mezzo-soprano voice. It is perhaps one of the best known pieces from his opera "Carmen," and its sassy title is translated as "Love is a rebellious bird!" Even though the opera itself is in French, I thought it would be a fitting finale to my Spanish/Latin music collection. The genre of "habanera" music originated in Havana, Cuba, and became very popular and novel during Bizet's composition of 1875. Admittedly a product of a historical time, Carmen's mischievously flirtatious song flippantly describes love as being like a "rebellious bird" who wants you when you do not want it, but when you finally want it, the bird is no longer interested. She sings with aloofness - all while making frustrated eyes at the oblivious soldier José - that love recognizes no law or reason, and it simply wants whom it wants. Within the narrative of the opera, this aria is sung in Act 1 as follows: "A square, in Seville. On the right, a door to the tobacco factory. At the back, a bridge. On the left, a guardhouse. A group of soldiers relax in the square, waiting for the changing of the guard and commenting on the passers-by ("Sur la place, chacun passe"). Micaëla appears, seeking José. Moralès tells her that "José is not yet on duty" and invites her to wait with them. She declines, saying she will return later. José arrives with the new guard, who is greeted and imitated by a crowd of urchins ("Avec la garde montante"). As the factory bell rings, the cigarette girls emerge and exchange banter with young men in the crowd ("La cloche a sonné"). Carmen enters and sings her provocative habanera on the untameable nature of love ("L'amour est un oiseau rebelle"). The men plead with her to choose a lover, and after some teasing she throws a flower to Don José, who thus far has been ignoring her but is now annoyed by her insolence." This aria has become very popular and frequently referenced, including in the opening familial scene of Disney's "The Aristocats!"