Ave Verum Corpus - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This great hymn is a solemn praise of the passion of the Lord Jesus. The accompanying picture is 'The Pieta' by Carracci. Here follows the Latin and English texts:

Ave, verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine, Vere passum immolatum in Cruce pro homine, Cujus latus perforatum unda fluxit et sanguine, Esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.

Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, who having truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mankind, whose pierced side flowed with water and blood: May it be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet] in the trial of death.

Westminster Cathedral Choir - "Ave Verum Corpus" - W. A. Mozart

The Choir of New College, Oxford - "Ave Verum Corpus"

Westminster Cathedral Choir - "Ave Verum Corpus" - W. A. Mozart

The Vienna Boys' Choir - 'Ave Verum Corpus' - W. A. Mozart

Bryn Terfel - "Ave Verum Corpus" by W. A. Mozart

This sublime Eucharistic hymn dates from the 14th century and is attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d. 1362). It has been set to music by various composers. During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the host during the consecration. It is also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The hymn's title means "Hail, true body", and is based on a poem deriving from a 14th-century manuscript from the Abbey of Reichenau, Lake Constance. The poem is a meditation on the Real Presence of our Lord in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's setting of Ave Verum Corpus was written in 1791, to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi.

The text is in Latin, and reads: Ave verum corpus, Natum de Maria Virgine, Vere passum, immolatum In cruce pro homine, Cuius latus perforatum Unda fluxit et sanguine, Esto nobis praegustatum In mortis examine.

A translation into English is: Hail the true body, born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for mankind, whose pierced side flowed with water and blood, let it be for us, in consideration, a foretaste of death.

Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge - "Ave Verum Corpus" - W. A. Mozart

"Ave Verum Corpus" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

A sublime and historic performance. Leonard Bernstein conducting the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir in "Ave Verum Corpus," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The text in Latin reads:

Ave verum corpus, natum
de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine,
cuius latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum
in mortis examine.

A translation into English is:

Hail, true Body,
born of the Virgin Mary,
who has truly suffered, and was sacrificed
on the cross for mankind,
whose side was pierced,
whence flowed water and blood,
Be for us a foretaste of heaven,
during our final trial.

Tölzer Knabenchor - "Ave Verum Corpus" - W. A. Mozart