Sebastian Yradier

A singing teacher to the Empress Eugenie, Iradier was a collaborator in numerous zarzuelas and theatrical works for Madrid. He lived for a time in Paris but also travelled to Cuba where he was attracted to Creole music. He may have been a professor of vocal exercises at the Conservatory in Madrid but his success predominantly came from his popular Spanish songs which were approved of in Europe and the Americas. Famous singers performed his songs and Bizet adopted his "El arreglito" for the opera Carmen. ~ Keith Johnson