• (listen) Stravinsky was raised in the Russian Orthodox Church, but in his young adult life, his religious practices were 'put on hold' so to speak. It wasn't until he returned to the church that he wrote a series of three motets intended for use within the orthodoxy: 'The Lord's Prayer' (1926), 'Credo' (1932), and 'Ave Maria' (1934). Stravinsky composed all three works in Slavic text, then fifteen years later, after moving to the United States, he republished the works with Latin texts. • (listen) This sublime aria is sung in the fourth act of 's opera, 'Otello', by Desdemona.

Learn the meaning of the text and the English translation of the Latin prayer, Ave Maria, which is used in many classical music pieces even today. Ave Maria Text and Translation. Search the site GO. Classical Lyrics Basics Composer Biographies Operas Rock Pop Alternative Music Country Folk Rap & Hip Hop.

Knowing she may die that evening at the hands of her husband Otello, Desdemona asks her servant Emilia to prepare her wedding gown with instructions to bury her in it in case she dies that evening. After Emilia leaves, Desdemona prays to Virgin Mary, asking her to pray for the sinner, the weak, the oppressed, the mighty, the unfortunate, and for them in the hour of their death. Shejrhoi behtarin dar borai modar.