Ave Regina Caelorum [Bevan]

Program Notes:

Ave Regina Caelorum (Hail, Queen of Heaven) is one of the four ancient prayers collectively known as the Marian Antiphons. The origin of the prayer is unknown but it appears in the Saint Alban’s Book of the twelfth century.

Conductor Notes:

Ave Regina Caelorum is written for SSAA choir a cappella, This challenging work is largely homophonic and has frequent mixed metres and harmonic surprises. Finding the composer’s intentions with each of the unique phrases of this through-composed work is the conductor’s rewarding challenge.

Text:

Ave, Regina Caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

Translation:

Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels.
Hail! Thou root, hail! Thou gate
from whom unto the world, a light has arisen:
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And pray for us to Christ.