This Ave Maria is an arrangement of the Intermezzo sinfonico from the opera Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. Taking up the melody of the first violin, this lyrical arrangement for choir and piano by Gwyn Arch begins with a solo wherein the Virgin Mary is sought after for consolation. The full choir enters in a sublime manner and the musical events reach their apex with the words “Non m’abbandonar!”(Do not forsake me!). Elements of the original instrumentation, above all, that of the harp are incorporated in the piano accompaniment. A stirring new choral hymn!