Ave regina caelorum, H. 22

Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Ave Regina caelorum is a sacred motet for two sopranos. It is a setting of a traditional votive antiphon to the Virgin Mary, its Latin text celebrating her as Queen of Heaven and Earth and Mother of Angels. The text, which opens with a jubilant greeting, praises her unique glory and beauty, asking her to intercede with Christ for us. Charpentier's setting, written for the intimate combination of SS, is likely to be delicately shaped, with moments of tenderness and soaring devotion, reflecting the profound significance of the Marian text.