A Hymn to the Virgin-Benjamin Britten

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers featuring JoAnna Johnson, Patricia Kramer, Peter Aldrich, Christopher Brunelle, solo quartet, conducted by Philip Brunelle perform "A Hymn to the Virgin" by Benjamin Britten.
A HYMN TO THE VIRGIN, Benjamin Britten
Of one that is so fair and bright,
Velut maris stella, (like a star of the sea)
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella; (parent and virgin)
I cry to thee, thou see to me,
Lady, pray thy Son for me,
Tam pia, (So holy)
That I may come to thee,
Maria!
All this world was forlorn
Eva peccatrice, (Through Eve the sinner)
Till our Lord was born
De te genetrice. (From you, the begetter)
With ave it went away
Darkest night, and comes the day
Salutis; (Of salvation)
The well springeth out of thee.
Virtutis. (Of virtue)
Lady, flower of everything,
Rosa sine spina. (Rose without thorn)
Thou bare Jesu, Heaven’s King,
Gritia divina; (Through divine grace)
Of all thou bear’st the prize,
Lady, queen of paradies
Electa; (Chosen)
Maid mild, mother es Effecta. (Made a mother)
Effecta.
-Anonymous 14th century poem
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
JoAnna Johnson, Patricia Kramer, Peter Aldrich, Christopher Brunelle, solo quartet
Philip Brunelle, conductor
Audio Recording by John Scherf
Video Recording by Novart Media
Recorded at Larson Hall, American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, MN on Sunday, February 4, 2024