Salve regina [177]

Antonio Mortaro

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SR177 Salve regina 9 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

Polyphonic ensemble SSAATTBBX

Two contrasting choirs. Chr. 1: C-C1; A-C3; T-C4; B-F4. Range, A-e’’. Chr. II: C-C1; A-C3; T-C4; Q-C4; B-F4. Range, E-d’’. No evidence of chant. Mortaro’s Salve regina is the only Marian antiphon with five voices in one choir of a composition for two choirs; T and Q within the same range, d-e’, enrich the sonority of Chr. II. Textual phrases are characterized through antiphonal treatment, expressive harmonic progressions and contrast of rhythmic gestures. Antiphony at the distance of one measure (Chr. I followed by Chr. II) defines verse 1 and continues through “vita dulcedo” of verse 2 (mm. 1-8); rhythmic gestures are duplicated in subsequent measures though melodic material varies. Similar antiphonal procedures define verse 5, “Eia…converte” (mm. 22-32.) and verse 9, “O dulcis” (mm. 48-50). Antiphony within a shorter time span, primarily involving semiminums, characterizes “nobis…exilium” (mm. 41-3). Only verse 4, “Ad te lacrimarum” is presented by one choir (Chr. II, mm. 15-22). Of the 51 mm. in this antiphon, only 15 mm. are devoted to one choir. Third-related harmonies express “dulcedo” (B♭-g, mm. 6-8), and the intersection of “clamamus” and “exules” (c-E, m. 13). Choirs are frequently harmonically dependent at overlapping phrases, but also within phrases (e.g., “salve,” m. 10). A syllabic text setting prevails. Final d; b-flats as well as c, f, & g sharps are included in M3747.

Associated people

Antonio Mortaro - Composer

Creation place and date

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Sung texts

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Salve, regina, mater misericordiae;

Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.

Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens,

O pia,

O dulcis virgo Maria.

Bibliography

Modern editions

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References

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Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/2126/

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Salve regina [177], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/2126/] (accessed 21 January 2026).

Last modification: Dec. 2, 2025