Sebastián Iradier (1809–1865) is known as the composer of the once-famous popular song "La Paloma" (covered by Elvis Presley and Julio Iglesias) and "El Arreglito," which Bizet referenced when composing the "Habanera" for his opera "Carmen." "Ay Chiquita," with lyrics expressing sadness upon learning of a beloved woman's marriage, was published in 1860.

The original piece has a simple form, with only one refrain repeating with slight variations. In Burgmüller's arrangement, published in 1863, the first theme of the waltz's main section corresponds to this refrain.

Iradier: From "Ay Chiquita"

The introduction and other themes were composed by Burgmüller and are not present in the original piece. However, Iradier's original motifs are subtly incorporated into all of these themes, demonstrating Burgmüller's skill in creating and developing new musical ideas that assimilate with the original work.

The image of Spanish taste in French music is often strongly associated with the period after 1875, when Lalo's "Symphonie espagnole" and Bizet's "Carmen" premiered. However, it actually existed much earlier. In the 1810s, Spanish musicians such as the guitarist Fernando Sor (1778–1839) and the tenor Manuel García (1775–1832) visited Paris, and it is certain that music of actual Spanish origin was heard there at that time. In the 1830s, works such as Chopin's "Bolero" Op. 19, the fifth song "L'invitation" (subtitled "Bolero") from Rossini's song collection "Soirées musicales," and Liszt's "Rondeau fantastique sur un thème espagnol, 'El Contrabandista'" S.252 (based on an aria from a zarzuela by García) were composed. In 1836, the ballerina Fanny Elssler (1810–1884) danced the Spanish folk song "Cachucha" in Paris to great success. Two years later, Burgmüller also composed "Divertissement brillant sur la Cachucha" Op. 36. From the 1850s onwards, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829–1869), a composer and pianist from New Orleans active in Paris, published several piano pieces using Spanish musical material. Additionally, Spanish-themed piano pieces by French composers were written, including Charles Delioux's "Le Carnaval espagnol" Op. 38 (1858) and Henri Ravina's "Petit Boléro" (1865).