Alma redemptoris mater

Giovanni Contino's Alma redemptoris mater is a vibrant setting of a Marian antiphon, invoking the Virgin Mary as the 'Mother of the Redeemer', the 'heavenly gate', and the 'star of the sea'. The text implores her to aid her people, especially those who fall and strive to rise again. It recalls the miraculous birth of Christ, a wonder that even nature observed, and her role as the Virgin who received the angelic greeting, 'Ave'. This SSATTB setting, sung in Latin, offers a rich, polyphonic texture, ideal for a skilled choir. Contino’s expressive writing captures the devotional weight and profound hope contained within this ancient text, making it a powerful addition to any sacred music programme.