habanera

[ hah-buh-nair-uh or, often, -nyair-uh ]

/ ˌhɑ bəˈnɛər ə or, often, -ˈnyɛər ə /

a dance of Cuban origin.

the music for this dance, having a slow duple meter and a rhythm similar to that of a tango.

Origin of habanera

1875–80; < Spanish ( danza) habanera (dance) of Havana

The lady sang with great spirit, and her rendering of la Paloma and of the Habanera from Carmen was simply perfect.

Cuba Past and Present |Richard Davey
The Habanera went very well by being transposed half a tone higher; but the card-playing scene was another matter.

Memoirs of an American Prima Donna |Clara Louise Kellogg
An instance of the use of castanets in opera occurs in the Habanera in Carmen.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 |Various
The Tango is in 2-4, played in moderately slow tempo; its rhythm is also adapted for the Habanera.

The Art of Stage Dancing |Ned Wayburn

Alvarado dances the Habanera with the dancing-girl Chiquita.

The Complete Opera Book |Gustav Kobb

habanera

/ (ˌhæbəˈnɛərə) /

a slow Cuban dance in duple time

a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

from Spanish danza habanera dance from Havana