Where can I find a recording of the Ave Maria from Cavalleria Rusticana?
There is religious music in Cavalleria rusticana, but no Ave Maria. The Ave Maria you are thinking about is an adaptation of the famous Intermezzo of Cavalleria rusticana made well after the opera’s premiere which took place on May 17, 1890. In the opera, the Intermezzo is purely orchestral. The Intermezzo was first written as a work for piano. The original score is dated October 26, 1888, and was not long after orchestrated to become the famous Intermezzo of Cavalleria rusticana. The opera was sent to the Sonzogno competition on May 27, 1889, and of course contained the fully orchestrated Intermezzo. There are several Ave Maria versions adapted from the Intermezzo. One version is by P. Mazzoni, and starts with “Ave Maria, madre Santa, Sorreggi il pie”. The version sung by Bocelli starts with “Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, …”. There is also an English version by Fred E. Weatherly. For recordings, consult the discography. This Ave Maria, sometimes referred to as Sancta Maria
