Very Rare Letter Signed by the Composer of “La Paloma,” One of the Most Popular Melodies Ever Written, and a Favorite of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico

Sebastian de Yradier

After visiting Cuba around 1860, Yradier composed La Paloma, a habanera, or Cuban dance number, whose popularity extended around the world and became a favorite melody of Maximilian of Mexico. Yradier’s “popular Spanish songs were immensely successful in both Europe and the Americas, and were performed by Viardot, Patti and other famous singers,” (The New Grove Dictionary). Another of Yradier’s habaneras, El Arreglito, was mistaken for a folk song by Georges Bizet who had used it in his opera Carmen in 1875. It became the work’s most famous aria and Bizet was obliged to credit Yradier who had died ten years earlier.

Jacques Léopold Heugel first published music in 1839 and his catalogue included works by Massenet, Delibes and Offenbach. Heugel was absorbed by Éditions Alphonse Leduc in 1980 and is still well respected for its critical editions. A very rare letter signed by the composer of one of the most popular songs ever written. (See: http://digital.films.com/play/CR22A4, for more information on this beloved melody.) Folded and in very good condition.

Watch the “La Paloma” scene from Juarez (1939) starring Bette Davis and Brian Aherne, as Empress Carlota and Emperor Maximilian of Mexico