Ave Maria, gratia plena

Orlando di Lasso sets the familiar Ave Maria text, a prayer to the Virgin Mary. The words express God's grace upon her, and bless her among women, and bless the fruit of her womb. Lasso's motet is written for five voices, SATTB, and is sung in Latin. The sonorous texture and flowing melodic lines create a devotional atmosphere, perfectly suited to the sacred text. This setting would be an excellent addition to any liturgical or concert programme, offering a profound musical meditation on one of Christianity's most cherished prayers.