Ave Maria a 6

The words of this motet are drawn from the Hail Mary, a fundamental Catholic prayer. Ferdinand di Lasso sets the opening phrases, invoking 'full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.' The composer's setting is for a substantial choir of six voices, SSATTB, allowing for rich harmonic textures and intricate polyphony. This Latin motet is a sacred work, characteristic of the rich tradition of sacred choral music from the Renaissance and beyond, offering a devotional reflection on the Annunciation.