Second Vespers of the Feast of the Annunciation

The Office begins with the plainsong versicle and response Deus in adiutorium meum intende, followed by the antiphon, Missus est Gabriel, to the first vesper psalm, Dixit Dominus. This psalm is written for two equal SATB choirs and sets all seven verses of Psalm 110 in lively antiphonal style, ending with a doxology that opens in brisk triple time (perhaps symbolising the three persons of the Trinity) and broadens at the end into substantial and sonorous eight-part writing. Following the repetition of the antiphon Missus est Gabriel, we hear the chant antiphon, Ave Maria, and the next vesper psalm, Laudate pueri Dominum. This psalm takes its text from the nine verses of Psalm 113 and is written for a high choir of SSAT set against an SATB choir, giving scope for antiphonal contrasts of tessitura and sonority, which Victoria further exploits by including two sections written for reduced voices. The second singing of the plainsong antiphon is replaced by an extended sumptuous double-choir setting for two equal SATB choirs, opening with the words of the Ave Maria chant taken from chapter 1 of St Luke’s Gospel. This setting is written in a most effective antiphonal style, alternating passages of homophonic writing with polyphonically-conceived exchanges of great spaciousness and fullness. After the antiphon Ne timeas Maria, which continues the story of the Annunciation from St Luke, there follows the vesper psalm Laetatus sum –

‘I was glad when I entered the house of the Lord’, based on verses 1-9 of Psalm 122. This is a joyous text, which captured the imagination of many composers. Victoria was no exception. He responded by composing a superb triple-choir motet which uses all the resources of polychoral writing and vocal orchestration to create a musical structure of great brilliance, richness and variety. The second singing of Ne timeas Maria is given to a delightful four-part motet, taken from Alessandro Gardane’s 1583 publication. In flowing polyphonic style, it repeats and slightly extends the text of the chant antiphon.

Following the chant antiphon Dabit ei Dominus is the final vesper psalm Nisi Dominus. This sets verses 1-6 of Psalm 127 for double choir (a high choir of SSAT and an SATB choir) and contains excellent antiphonal writing with a good deal of rhythmic variety, from short bursts of triple time to the stately opening of the second half at the words ‘Beatus vir’. After the repetition of Dabit ei Dominus and the chanting of the Little Chapter and its response, the choir sings the hymn Ave maris stella. This is a four-part setting of an extended Annunciation hymn text which, as was then customary, is written in alternatim style [alternate verses set to chant and polyphony]. It opens with the chant to which it makes continuous reference in different ways, ensuring a quiet and satisfying meditation on this text. A further versicle, response and Magnificat antiphon, all in chant, are followed by a Magnificat anima mea in another fine setting for SSAT and SATB. Though this opens with a short plainsong intonation, it differs from all but one of Victoria’s other settings of this canticle, as it does not continue in full alternatim style. Instead, Victoria employs vivid polyphony, making frequent use of reduced voice sections, alternations between triple and duple time and changes of harmonic density to achieve an expressive response to the words of this well-known text. Five short chant sections conclude the Vespers proper, and there follow two concluding devotions. The first of these is the Marian antiphon Regina coeli, for which Victoria wrote a delightful double-choir setting, for SSABar and SATB, containing much flowing counterpoint and two beautiful sections of dancing tripletime Alleluias. After a versicle and response and a collect in chant, the Office concludes on a quieter and peaceful note with a performance of Victoria’s only litany, set to a text containing repeated invocations to the Virgin.

© 2004 Jon Dixon

Sources and editions

Plainsong: chant for the hymn has been taken from Francisco Zanetti’s 1581 edition and that for the antiphons has been based on chant in the Antiphonarium vespertinum dierum festorum totius anni juxta Romani Breviarii iussu Pii V. published in 1607 by Hieronymo Lambardo. Other chant has also been supplied from Roman sources.

Dixit Dominus a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Laudate Dominum a 8:

Francisco Zanetti, Rome, 1581

Ave Maria a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Ne timeas Maria a 4:

Alessandro Gardane, Rome, 1583

Laetatus sum a 12:

Angelo Gardane, Venice, 1603

Nisi Dominus a 8:

Francisco Zanetti, Rome, 1581

Ave maris stella a 4:

Francisco Zanetti, Rome, 1581

Magnificat li toni a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Regina coeli laetare a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Kyrie eleison a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Editions: The edition of the Second Vespers of the Feast of the Annunciation and all the above editions of polyphonic works were made and produced by Jon Dixon of JOED Music, 234 Stanley Park Road, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, SM5 3JP, UK.

1 Versicle and Response: Deus, in adiutorium meum intende Deus, in adiutorium meum intende. Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia.

2 Antiphon: Missus est Gabriel Missus est Gabriel Angelus ad Mariam Virginem desponsatam Joseph.

Vesper Psalm:

Dixit Dominus a 8

Dixit Dominus Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis, Donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum.

O God make speed to save me. O Lord make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen. Alleluia.

The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. (Luke 1: 26-27)

Ave Maria a 8:

Ioannem Flandrum, Madrid, 1600

Virgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae, in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te. Juravit Dominus, et non poenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech. Dominus a dextris tuis, confregit in die irae suae reges: Judicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas, conquassabit capita in terra multorum. De torrente in via bibet: propterea exaltabit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Antiphon: Missus est Gabriel

Missus est Gabriel Angelus ad Mariam

Virginem desponsatam Joseph.

3 Antiphon: Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gratia plena:

Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus.

Vesper Psalm:

Laudate pueri Dominum a 8

Laudate, pueri, Dominum: laudate nomen

Domini. Sit nomen Domini benedictum: ex hoc nunc, et usque in saeculum. A solis ortu usque ad occasum: laudabile nomen Domini.

Excelsus super omnes gentes Dominus: et super coelos gloria eius.

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat: et humilia respicit in caelo et in terra?

Suscitans a terra inopem: Et de stercore erigens pauperem. Ut collocet eum cum principibus: populi sui.

Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo: matrem filiorum laetantem.

He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. (Ps. 110: 1-7)

Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. (Luke 1: 26-27)

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. (Luke 1: 28)

4 Motet: Ave Maria a 8 Ave, Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria Regina coeli, dulcis et pia, O Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus, ut cum electis te videamus.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Queen of heaven, sweet and good, pray for us sinners that with the chosen we may see thee.

Praise ye the Lord, praise, O ye servants of the Lord, the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth?

He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.

(Ps. 113: 1-9)

5 Antiphon: Ne timeas Maria Ne timeas, Maria, invenisti gratiam apud Dominum: ecce concipies, et paries filium.

Vesper Psalm: Laetatus sum a 12

Laetatus sum in his, quae dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus. Stantes erant pedes nostri in atriis tuis Jerusalem.

Jerusalem quae aedificatur ut civitas: cuius participatio eius in idipsum.

Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini: testimonium Israel ad confitendum nomini Domini.

Quia illic sederunt sedes in judicio sedes super domum David.

Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favour with the Lord: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son. (Luke 1: 30-31)

I was glad when they said unto me: let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is at unity in itself: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David.

Rogate quae ad pacem sunt Jerusalem et abundantia diligentibus te.

Fiat pax in virtute tua et abundantia in turribus tuis propter fratres meos, et proximos meos loquebar pacem de te propter domum Domini Dei nostri quaesivi bona tibi.

Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

6 Motet:

Ne timeas Maria a 4

Ne timeas Maria, invenisti enim gratiam, apud Dominum: ecce concipies, in utero, et paries filium; et vocabitur Altissimi filius.

7 Antiphon:

Dabit ei Dominus

Dabit ei Dominus sedem David patris eius, et regnabit in aeternum.

Vesper Psalm:

Nisi Dominus a 8

Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum: in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eam.

Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem: frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.

Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite, postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris.

Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum: ecce haereditas Domini filii: merces, fructus ventris.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes I will now say, peace be with you. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Ps. 122: 1-9) Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Sicut sagittae in manu potentis: ita filii excussorum.

Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.

Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Antiphon: Dabit ei Dominus

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man: even so are the young children.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be shamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Ps. 127: 1-6)

Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favour with the Lord: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and he shall be called Son of the Highest. (Luke 1: 30-32)

Dabit ei Dominus sedem David patris eius, et regnabit in aetemum.

The Lord shall give him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign forever.

The Lord shall give him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign forever.

8 Little Chapter: Ecce virgo concipiet Ecce virgo concipiet, et pariet filium, et vocabitur nomen eius Emmanuel.

Butyrum et mel comedet, ut sciat reprobare malum, et eligere bonum.

Response:

Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

(Isaiah 7: 14-15)

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up before the light, and so take late rest, and eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae, Alleluia. Alleluia.

Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

The Angel of the Lord made known the will of God to Mary, Alleluia, Alleluia. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

9 Hymn:

Ave maris stella a 4

Ave, maris stella, Dei Mater alma Atque semper Virgo, Felix coeli porta.

Sumens ilud Ave Gabrielis ore: funda nos in pace mutans Hevae nomen.

Solve vincla reis, Profer lumen caecis:

Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce. Monstra te esse matrem

Sumat per te preces

Qui pro nobis natus Tullit esse tuus. Virgo singularis, Inter omnes mitis, Nos culpis solutos, Mites fac et castos. Vitam praesta puram, iter paratutum.

Ut videntes Jesum, Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, Tribus honor unus.

Versicle and Response:

Ave Maria, gratia plena Ave Maria, gratia plena.

Dominus tecum.

10 Magnificat antiphon:

Gabriel Angelus

Gabriel Angelus locutus est Mariae dicens: Ave, gratia plena. Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus.

Hail, O star of the sea, loving mother of God and ever a Virgin, fair gate of Heaven.

Thou who received that ‘Ave’ from the mouth of Gabriel, secure us in peace, reversing the name of ‘Eva’. Break the bonds of earthly things, bring light to the blind, banish our ills and ask every blessing for us.

Show thyself a mother: through thee, may He who was born for us and deigned to be your son receive our prayers.

O matchless Virgin, gentle above all other, win us pardon for our sins and make us gentle and pure. Make it thy charge that our life is pure; grant us a safe journey so that we may see Jesus and ever rejoice together.

To God the Father be praise, to Christ most high and the Holy Ghost be glory; to the three be equal honour.

Magnificat:

Magnificat anima mea a 8

Magnificat anima mea Dominum. Et exuItavit spiritus meus: in Deo salutari meo.

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.

Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen eius. Et misericordiae eius, a progenie in progenies: timentibus eum.

Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo: dispersit superbos, mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede: et exaltavit humiles.

Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum: recordatus, misericordiae suae. Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros: Abraham et semini eius in saecula. Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel. As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary saying: Hail, thou that art full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Magnificat antiphon:

Gabriel Angelus

Gabriel Angelus locutus est Mariae dicens: Ave, gratia plena. Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus.

11 Versicle and Response:

Dominus vobiscum

Dominus vobiscum.

Et cum spiritu tuo.

Collect for the day:

Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Virginis Oremus.

Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Virginis utero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiate, carnem suscipere voluisti: praesta supplicibus tuis; ut qui vere eam Genetricem Dei credimus, eius apud te intercessionibus adiuvemur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum

Jesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Versicle and Response:

Dominus vobiscum

Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.

The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary saying: Hail, thou that art full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.

Versicle and Response:

Benedicamus Domino

Benedicamus Domino. Deo gratias.

12 Votive antiphon: Regina coeli a 8 Regina coeli laetare. Alleluia. Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia, Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O Queen of heaven rejoice. Alleluia. For He whom thou wast worthy to bear, Alleluia, has risen as he said, Alleluia. Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, whose will it was that, when it was made known by the Angel, Thy divine word should become flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that your faithful who believe in this divine motherhood may have their prayers heard through Mary’s intercession. This we ask of Thee through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son who liveth with Thee and reigns in unity with the Holy Spirit, O God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.

Versicle and Response: Gaude et laetare Gaude et laetare, Alleluia.

Quia surrexit Dominus vere. Alleluia.

Votive Antiphon Collect: Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii Oremus.

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia. For the Lord has truly risen. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who through the resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ deigned to give joy to the world, grant, we beseech Thee, that, through his Mother the Virgin Mary, we may attain the joys of eternal life. This we ask of Thee through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Litany of Loreto:

Kyrie eleison a 8

Kyrie eleison. Christe, exaudi nos.

Pater de coelis, Deus, miserere nobis.

Fili Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis.

Spiritus Sancte Deus, miserere nobis.

Sancta trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.

Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis.

Sancta Virgo virginum, ora pro nobis.

Mater Christi, ora pro nobis.

Mater divinae gratiae, ora pro nobis.

Mater purissima, ora pro nobis.

Mater castissima, ora pro nobis.

Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis.

Virgo praedicanda, ora pro nobis.

Causa nostrae laetitiae, ora pro nobis.

Stella matutina, ora pro nobis.

Salus infirmorum, ora pro nobis.

Desiderium colium aeternorum, ora pro nobis.

Paradisus voluptatis, ora pro nobis.

Lord have mercy. O Christ, hear our cry.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us.

O Son of God, Saviour of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us.

Holy Trinity, God three in one, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mother of Christ, pray for us.

Mother of divine grace; pray for us.

Mother most pure, pray for us.

Mother most undefiled, pray for us.

Venerable Virgin, pray for us.

Virgin foretold, pray for us.

Cause of our joy, pray for us.

O star of the morning, pray for us.

Bringer of health to the infirm, pray for us.

Desire of the eternal hills, pray for us.

Delight of paradise, pray for us.

Regina Angelorum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Patriarcharum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Apostolorum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Martyrum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Confessorum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Virginum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Sanctorum omninum, ora pro nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Queen of the Angels, pray for us.

Queen of the Patriarchs, pray for us.

Queen of the Apostles, pray for us.

Queen of the Martyrs, pray for us.

Queen of the Confessors, pray for us.

Queen of Virgins, pray for us.

Queen of all Saints, pray for us.

O Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, hear our cry, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.