Artist: Ferruccio Giannini
Author: Sebastián Yradier
Label: Berliner
Year: 1896

Habanera written in 1859 while on a world tour with diva Adelita Patti, inspired by rhythms witnessed in La Havana. Popularity started in 1864 in Mexico, where newly established Emperor Maximilian named it his favorite tune and even requested to hear it as his last will before being executed three years later. The tune became a local hit among the masses as Adios Mama Carlota (Charlotte was the name of the Empress); lyrics were credited to president in exile Benito Juarez. See also the comments with versions by Erich Wolfgang Korngold ('39) and Eugenia Leon ('06). Yradier never realized how popular his song would be (he died in 1865). On the German Trikont label at least three volumes came out in the series La Paloma, One Song For All World (Mit La Paloma um die Welt). Oldest version there: a barrel-organ from Vienna (1893).

In 1997 a remarkable version surfaced on the cd Ng'ambo - The Other Side Of Zanzibar by the Kidumbak Kalcha orchestra. According to old people from Zanzibar this tune is traditionally their own. How it came to Europe? Possibly with members of the sultan's orchestra. Since the 1840's he employed Egyptian, Turkish and south European musicians. That's how Yradier might have heard it in Spain, or he encountered the tune on one of his many world travels. Or this is all pure & plain coincidence.