Opera title: | Carmen |
Composer: | Georges Bizet |
Language: | French |
Synopsis: | Carmen Synopsis |
Libretto: | Carmen Libretto |
Translation(s): | English Deutsch |
Also known as: | Habanera |
Type: | aria |
Role(s): | Carmen |
Voice(s): | Mezzo-Soprano |
Act: | 1.07 |
Previous scene: | La voila! La voila! |
Next scene: | Carmen! sur tes pas nous nous pressons tous |
Mezzo-soprano Anna Goryachova sings Carmen's famous Habanera in Barrie Kosky's Royal Opera production of Bizet's masterpiece. Find out more at
Award-winning director Barrie Kosky provides a refreshing perspective on this well-known opera. He explores Carmen's ever-changing nature - marked by her series of contrasting costumes - and her vitality through dance. The pre-recorded voice of a narrator (perhaps Carmen herself) ensures that we experience the whole story from her perspective, and the production's unique performing edition (by Michael Rot) offers a chance for audience members to hear music Bizet omitted from the opera's first performances.
Carmen had only lukewarm success at its 1875 premiere - perhaps due to its unconventional subject - but soon became immensely popular, and has remained so. Its glorious score boasts a host of wonderful melodies, including Carmen's sensual Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José's tender Flower Aria and Escamillo's rousing Toreador's Song. There are also passionate duologues, above all the intense, final confrontation between Carmen and Don José.
CARMEN
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 enfant de Bohème,
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!
L'oiseau que tu croyais surprendre
Battit de l'aile et s'envola
L'amour est loin, tu peux l'attendre
Tu ne l'attends plus ... il est là
Tout autour de toi, vite, vite,
Il vient, s'en va, puis il revient
Tu crois le tenir, il t'évite,
Tu crois l'éviter, il te tient.
L'amour est enfant de Bohème,
Il n'a jamais connu de loi;
Si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime;
Si je t'aime,
Prends garde à toi!
CARMEN
love is a rebellious bird
That no one can tame,
And it is in vain that it is called
If he agrees to refuse.
Nothing works; threat or prayer,
One speaks well, the other is silent;
And that's the other one I prefer,
He did not say anything, but I like him.
Love is Bohemian child,
He never, never knew a law;
If you do not love me, I love you;
If I love you,
Beware!
The bird that you thought surprised
Battled the wing and flew away
Love is far away, you can wait for it
You do not expect him anymore ... he is here
All around you, fast, fast,
He comes, goes, then comes back
You think you're holding him, he's avoiding you,
You think you're avoiding him, he's holding you.
Love is Bohemian child,
He never knew a law;
If you do not love me, I love you;
If I love you,
Beware!
Sheetmusic for aria | ![]() |
Sheetmusic for opera | ![]() |
MP3's for this aria | on Amazon.com |
DVD/CD's for this opera | on Amazon.com |