Soprano (who preferably also plays claves and tambourine, though a separate percussionist may be used), Clarinet, and Violoncello
Text: From Carmina Burana (Latin)
Duration: ca. 10 minutes
Publisher: C. F. Peters Corporation, Edition Peters 67529
Ave formosissima, gemma pretiosa.
Ave decus virginum, virgo gloriosa!
Ave mundi luminar, Ave mundi rosa,
Blanziflor et Helena, Venus generosa!
Omnia sol temperat, purus et subtilis,
novo mundo reserat faciem Aprilis,
ad Amorem properat animus herilis,
et jocundis imperat deus puerilis.
Gloriantur et laetantur in melle dulcedinis
Qui conantur ut utantur praemio Cupidinis.
Ave formosissima, etc.
Hail, most beautiful one, precious gem
Hail, pride of virgins, most glorious of virgins
Hail, light of the world, hail, rose of the world,
Blanziflor and Helena, most noble Venus!
All things are tempered by the sun, pure and fine,
From a new world arises the beautiful face of April.
The heart of man is propelled toward Love,
And in pleasure’s courts the boyish god is emperor.
They who vie for and win the prize of Cupid
Taste delight and the sweetness of honey.
Hail, most beautiful one, etc.