“Ave Generosa” is a 12th-century Latin hymn and responsory composed by Saint Hildegard von Bingen to honor the Virgin Mary, focusing on themes of noble motherhood, purity, and the Incarnation. It is a monophonic, a cappella chant featuring dramatic, expansive melodic lines that highlight her unique musical style.
The lyrics praise Mary as the “noble” and “white lily” whose womb brought forth the Word of God in human form. It emphasizes the “greenness” (viriditas) of life, reflecting Hildegard’s theological focus on divine vitality.
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