Founded by Marcel Pérès in 1982 at the Abbey of Senanque, and established a… Read Full Bio ↴Founded by Marcel Pérès in 1982 at the Abbey of Senanque, and established at the Foundation Royaumont near Paris since 1984, Ensemble Organum has made the revival of the vocal and instrumental art practised at different periods of the Middle Ages its vocation. The Ensemble's repertoire extends from the earliest sources known (Old-Roman, Gallican and Carolingian chant) to the 18th century, and is composed largely of music intended for liturgy. Ensemble Organum, in its concerts and recordings for the Harmonia Mundi label, ensures the realization and propagation of the research undertaken in the field of medieval music at the Foundation Royaumont in the framework of the Atelier de Recherche et d'Interprétation des Musiques Médiévales (A.R.I.M.M.), of which Marcel Pérès is the director. Each year, the efforts of the singers are focused on several specific research programs, in conjunction with musicologists and historians both from France and abroad (including the U.S.). A particular manuscript or certain aspects of the repertory are studied in depth. Thus in contact with the most recent historical and musicological discoveries, the Ensemble is constantly expanding its repertory. Ensemble Organum also pays particular attention to still-existent oral traditions, to which it brings a completely new approach. The results of its research programs are presented in concert tours in France and abroad, and in its recordings. Each of Ensemble Organum's recordings is an illustration of its thoroughly historical and at the same time experimental approaches, which are a conjunction of a study of the musical and theoretical sources and the practice of oral traditions (Byzantine chant and Syriac chant, for example) which, from a historical point of view, were originally linked to the Western repertories.

Salve Regina
Ensemble Organum Lyrics

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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 Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens: O pia: O dulcis
Virgo Maria.

Overall Meaning

Ensemble Organum's "Salve Regina" is a solemn song of devotion to the Virgin Mary. The opening lines "Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae" translate to "Hail, Queen, Mother of mercy." The lyrics continue with "Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve," which means "our life, our sweetness and our hope, hail." The song addresses Mary as a comforting figure, a source of mercy and hope in a world filled with suffering. The lyrics also acknowledge humanity's fallen state, calling on Mary as an advocate for "exiles, the children of Eve," who are crying out for help and guidance.

The imagery in the lyrics is vivid and evocative. The reference to "lacrimarum valle," or "valley of tears," paints a picture of a desolate and sorrowful world. The pleading tone of the lyrics, with its repeated "ad te clamamus" and "ad te suspiramus," conveys a sense of desperation and longing for salvation. The final lines of the song, "O clemens: O pia: O dulcis/Virgo Maria," are a final appeal to Mary's merciful and kind nature, her essential sweetness as a guiding force in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae:
Hail, Queen, mother of mercy

Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Our life, sweetness and hope, hail.

Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.
To you we cry, exiled children of Eve.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
To you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your merciful eyes upon us.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.
And after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clemens: O pia: O dulcis Virgo Maria.
O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Contributed by Sarah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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