Maria Callas – “Ave Maria”

Writes Marion Lignana Rosenberg on Maria Callas’ early-1960s recording of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Ave Maria”:

Verdi’s Otello had little importance in Maria Callas’s career. She recorded the “Willow Song” and “Ave Maria” for EMI in Paris in 1963 ... Her rendition of Verdi’s “Ave Maria” is simple and inward, as befits this beautiful aria. The orchestra is led by Nicola Rescigno.

Ave Maria, overflowing with grace,
Blessed be the fruit of thy womb.

Blessed are you above all women
for delivering to us Christ Jesus.

Pray for the one
who kneels in prayer before you.

Pray for the wrongdoer
and for the innocent,

Pray for the weak and oppressed,
and for those in power.
For the wretched, likewise,
show your mercy.

Pray for the one suffering
cruel misfortune.

Pray for the one who bows his head
under injustice and cruel fate.

And for us,
pray for us, pray always.

And in the hour of our death,
pray for us.

Ave Maria,
in the hour of our death.

Ave.

Amen.

Recommended Off-site Links:
• Re-Visioning Callas
• Callas as Medea

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• Callas Remembered
• Callas Went Away
• Re-Visioning Callas