Claudio Monteverdi
Ave Maris Stella – Hymn from Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
(first printed edition: 1610)
Taverner Consort, Choir and Players
Andrew Parrott, director
Picture: The high altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, with sacred icon of Panagia Mesopanditissa (Mediator of All, 12th or 13th century). This statuary group, depicting the Queen of Heaven expelling the Plague (1670), is by the Flemish sculptor Josse de Corte (Giusto Le Court)
In die festo Salutationis 21. XI. 2015
Hymn to the Virgin Mary (8th century, author anon.)
Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix caeli porta.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Evae nomen.
Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce
Monstra te esse matrem
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.
Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos,
Mites fac et castos.
Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
Hail, star of the sea,
loving Mother of God,
and also always a virgin,
Happy gate of heaven.
Receiving that Ave
from Gabriel’s mouth
confirm us in peace,
Reversing Eva’s name.
Break the chains of sinners,
Bring light to the blind,
Drive away our evils,
Ask for all good.
Show yourself to be a mother,
May he accept prayers through you,
he who, born for us,
Chose to be yours.
O unique virgin,
Meek above all,
Make us, absolved from sin,
Gentle and chaste.
Keep life pure,
Make the journey safe,
So that, seeing Jesus,
We may always rejoice together.
Let there be praise to God the Father,
Glory to Christ in the highest,
To the Holy Spirit,
One honor to all three. Amen.
(English translation by Allen H. Simon)