Ave maris stella

Giovanni Battista Fasolo, O.F.M. (Asti, ca. 1598 – Palermo after 1664), was a Franciscan friar, organist and composer.

In his middle years Fasolo was primarily known for his 1645 organ annual, which, like "L'organo suonarino" of Adriano Banchieri, from the generation before him, was intended for use in small parish churches, and are much simpler than those used in Venice. In 1659 Fasolo became maestro di cappella to the Archbishop of Monreale.

Until recently many of G.B. Fasolo's secular works were attributed to other composers, particularly the Venetian Francesco Manelli, the composer of the first commercial operas in music history, or to a third unknown composer known as "Il Fasolo?".

However following the work of Francesco Luisi, Mariangela Donà, and Claudio Bacciagaluppi the attribution of the major works under the heading "Il Fasolo?" to G.B. Fasolo is now reasonably secure, and listed under his own entry in the current New Grove.

This work features the well-known 1st mode melody of "Ave maris stella." The first verse of this hymn translates as:

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.

"Annuale che contiene tutto quello, che deve far un Organista per risponder al Choro tutto l’Anno, Op. 8, Venise" dates from (1645), and consists of 8 sections.

I won't comment on its "liturgical use," as I have no knowledge of that. I did not strive for an "historical performance," as the registration used, while "austere," is far more elaborate than would be historical.

This piece, like the preceding hymn, is uploaded in honor of the feast day of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The score is attached below.