From Lady of the Lake to Ave Maria
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Schubert: 20 facts about the great composer

15. From Lady of the Lake to Ave Maria
Schubert’s well-loved music for the Ave Maria was originally written to words from Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake. ‘Ellen’s Third Song’ did contain the words ‘Ave Maria’ but only in reference to the prayer itself. Schubert’s tune has been recorded by a wide range of artists from Pavarotti to Perry Como.