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 |
Habanera (L'amour est un oiseau rebelle) from Carmen, by Georges Bizet
Throaty, seductive notes tumble from the red-red lips of opera’s favourite femme fatale as she teases the soldiers who fawn at her feet. She’s all red silk and bare flesh amongst the tanks and uniforms of this army town. The Habanera is punctuated by the staccato harmonies of the Chorus, draped over giant Hollywood style letters glinting into Sydney Harbour.
Rinat Shaham – mezzo-soprano
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Orchestra
Brian Castles-Onion – conductor
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – recorded live on 2 and 4 April 2013 at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
Experience the Greatest Hits: Watch Carmen live on Sydney Harbour in 2017: opera.org.au/harbour
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 | ![]() |
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DVD/CD's for this opera | on Amazon.com |