This edition was prepared by Johannes Becker — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Habanera
Staff Notation • Secular, Operas
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Habanera by Georges Bizet — Lyrics
L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
que nul ne peut apprivoiser,
et c'est bien en vain qu'on l'appelle,
s'il lui convient de refuser!
Rien n'y fait, menace ou prière,
l'un parle bien, l'autre se tait;
et c'est l'autre que je préfère,
il n'a rien dit, mais il me plaît.
L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
que nul ne peut apprivoiser,
et c'est bien en vain qu'on l'appelle,
s'il lui convient de refuser!
L'amour! l'amour! l'amour! l'amour!
L'amour est enfant de Bohême,
il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi,
si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime,
si je t'aime, prends garde à toi!
Prends garde à toi!
Si tu ne m'aimes pas,
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About Habanera
This vibrant setting of the famous Habanera from Bizet's opera Carmen offers a compelling challenge for SATB choirs. The music immediately conjures a sultry, passionate atmosphere, reflecting the text's exploration of love's unruly nature. Sung in the original French, the lyrics describe love as a rebellious bird, untameable and capricious, ultimately preferring the silent allure of one who makes no promises. The demanding vocal lines and rhythmic vitality capture the irresistible, often dangerous, spirit of the Carmen persona, making this a dramatic and rewarding concert showpiece that embodies the essence of opera.
