Regina coeli laetare-Cavalleria rusticana by Elina Garanca

We sometimes forget the difference between Sacred Music and music composed around sacred prayers. For example, according to Wikipedia, Franz Schubert’s magnificent “Ave Maria” was written as part of seven songs composed from Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake, first published in 1826. The Latin version is now so often used with Schubert’s melody “that is has led to the misconception that he originally wrote the melody as a setting for the [Roman Catholic Prayer] ‘Ave Maria.’ ”

On the other hand, Wikipedia tells us that the Regina Caeli or Regina Coeli (“Queen of Heaven”) is a Latin hymn that has been traced back to the 12th Century. In this case, the “plainsong melodies” sung in church are from time-to-time usurped by composers, such as Pietro Mascagni, who wrote the “Regina coeli” chorus for Cavallieria Rusticana in 1890. This emotionally stirring chorus is lead by Elina Garanca.