Ave, spes nostra

Vicente Lusitano, a composer of the Portuguese Renaissance, wrote this sacred motet for double male choir (TTBBB). The Latin text is a Marian antiphon, addressing the Virgin Mary as "our hope" and "Mother of light." The composer sets the text to music that emphasizes Mary's purity and her divine role as Mother of God. It begins with the angel's salutation, "Ave," and moves through praises of her conception of Christ and her unique status as both virgin and mother. The piece culminates in a joyful "Alleluia," glorifying her as the "Mother of light" to which all creation sings praise.