This edition was prepared by Douglas Walczak — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ave verum
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
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Ave verum by Etienne Nicolas Méhul — Lyrics
Ave, verum corpus natum
de Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
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About Ave verum
This devotional motet for two-part female voices is set to the familiar Latin text of the "Ave verum corpus". Méhul's setting takes the plainsong words and weaves around them a tender and devotional expression. The text reflects on the suffering of Christ, "born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for man." It asks that Christ's body be a foretaste for us in the trial of death, ending with a plea for mercy. The composer's sensitive setting captures the solemnity and hopeful anticipation of the text, making it a moving choice for liturgical occasions or a concert setting.
