Ave Maria, Op. 19b, B68
Opus number
19b
Burghauser catalogue number
68
Date of composition
23 July - 24 July 1877
Premiere - date and place
26 July 1877, Sychrov
Premiere performer(s)
Anna Dvorakova, Antonin Dvorak
First edition
Emanuel Stary, 1883, Prague
Text
Liturgical Latin
Duration
approx. 3 min.
The song “Ave Maria” is a setting of the traditional liturgical text and is written for a low-register voice with organ accompaniment. Dvorak wrote it while staying with his friend Alois Gobl at Sychrov castle in the summer of 1877. He dedicated the song to his wife Anna, who premiered it on her name day (26 July) in the castle chapel, accompanied by the composer at the organ. The song was first published in 1883 by Prague publisher Emanuel Stary.