Yradier (Iradier), Sebastian de

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Yradier (Iradier), Sebastian de

Yradier (Iradier), Sebastian de, Spanish song composer; b. Sauciego, Álava, Jan. 20, 1809; d. Vitoria, Dec. 6,1865. He composed theater music. After 1851, he became singing master to the Empress Eugénie in Paris; for some time he lived in Cuba. He publ. a number of melodious songs in a Spanish manner; one of them, El arreglito, subtitled Chanson havanaise, was used by Bizet for the famous Habanera in Carmen; Bizet retained the key and the pattern of the accompaniment, making minor changes in the melody to adjust it to French words. Yradier’s other songs that became famous are La paloma and Ay Chiquita! In Paris he publ. 2 collections, Echo d’Espagne (8 songs) and Fleurs d’Espagne (25 songs).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire