Coming from the contradanza, habanera
is at the same time the first sung expression born in Cuba, and the first world ambassador
of Cuban music.
During the 30ties of the 19th century, the style is detected in Havana. Moda in baile, published in 1842 in the newspaper Havana Prensa, is the first known printed expression. In the
19th century, habanera spreads in Spain, brought by the
sailors who come and go between the Spanish ports and Havana.
In the other end of the world, the Rio de la Plata, powerful estuary which bathes Buenos
Aires, is an ideal penetration way for South America : brought by the Cuban sailors, the
melancholic and languorous habanera appeals Argentina, where
it will be a fundamental basis for the tango. The word tango
don't forget it : mix of Spain and of Africa, habanera plants
its roots in the bantútango
congo.
The most known habanera, La Paloma,
is a Basque-Spaniard's composition, Sebastián Yradier, which
lives then in Havana, during these 60ties of the 19th century. Another composition of Sebastián Yradier, El Arreglito,
appeals to George Bizet, who integrates it in
his opera Carmen (L'Amour est
enfant de Bohème). The characteristic rhythm of the habanera is frequently
used by compositors of classical music, listening to popular musics : the Spanish Albeniz or Manuel de Falla, or the
French compositors Chabrier, Saint-Saëns,
Debussy or Ravel (L'Heure espagnole).
The style is also adopted by trovadores, conquered by soft
nostalgia emerging from its rhythm, able to emphasize poetry and lyricism of the words.
