Salve Regina

The words and music for the Salve Regina were composed in the 11th century by a monk known as Hermanus Contractus, or, Hermann the Cripple.

Born into a wealthy and noble Wolverad family of Southern Germany, he was baptized Hermann. The 14 children of this family were outstanding in ability and education. But, Hermann was born a crippled person, so was not considered to be a "typical Wolverad."

In time, Hermann entered a monastery on an island, Richenau, in Lake Constance. He was in constant pain. The monks designed a special chair to carry and help him. His mind richly expanded. He learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He became a musician and poet. He built an Astrolabe, an instrument for calculating the elevation of the stars. He built many kinds of musical instruments for the monks, and even made docks to keep them punctual.

Though constantly in pain, it was said that Hermanus Contractus never complained. His reason was that he saw Mary as his mother on earth and in heaven. He trusted her, prayed to her, and sang to her. And, he said that Mary taught him to be happy in the midst of his daily sufferings.

Into his masterpiece, Salve Regina, Hermann the Contracted poured all his love for the Blessed Mother. He died in 1054; "probably the best of the Wolverad family," Father Whealon says.

Father adds that the Salve Regina became popular as an evening song in Europe. Guilds and confraternities used to sing it in the open market-places. In time it became the regular conclusion of evening devotions or Vespers in the churches.
Nana Rociera, Dios Te Salve Maria, Manuel Pareja Obregoni Tributo
Monks of the Abbey of Notre Dame , Salve Regina, Gregorian Chant
Derek Lee Ragin, a British countertenor and the female Ewa Godlewska, a Polish mezzo-soprano, Salve Regina, Farinelli: Il Castrato Farinelli, is the artistic name of Carlo Broschi, a young singer in Handel's time. He was castrated in his childhood in order to preserve his voice. Never show this movie down at the John Wayne Bobbit Men’s Center.
Coro de La Abadia Benedictina de St. Domingo de Silos, Salve Regina, Canto Gregoriano Marial
The Sixteen, Harry Christophers, Salve Regina, Poulenc: Sacred Works, disc 2
Kitty Cleveland, Salve Regina, Salve
Gerard Lesne, Fabio Biondi, Salve Regina in G minor RV 618, Vivaldi: Best Loved Adagios
Escolania de Monserrat, Salve Regina a 5 veus (Casanoves), Narcis Casanoves. He was a Catalan composer from Monserrat.
Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Whip My Hair
National Lampoon's "Southern California Brings Me Down"
Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington, D.C. Salve Regina by Jiri Roper, I Sing of a Maiden
Weird Al Yankovic, Party in the C.I.A., Alpocalypse
John Bull, Salve Regina Roger Williams, organ Sally Garden, mezzo-soprano, Salve Regina A Sacred or Secular Adoration?
Jacob Obrecht, Salve Regina a 3 Peter Phillips Chorus/Choir Director
The Tallis Scholars Live at Oxford
Salve, dimora, casta e pura by Gounod. Beniamino Gigli. Album 1 Angel Records
Claudio Monteverdi, Salve Regina (a voce sola) Roger Williams, organ Sally Garden, mezzo-soprano Salve Regina A Sacred or Secular Adoration?
Pro Cantione Antiqua London, John Dunstable, Salve Regina misericordiae, Motets, Archiv
Roger Wagner Chorale. Salve Regina [choral music of the Spanish New World.]Angel [1966]