The Ave Maria aria is sung by Desdemona (Otello’s wife) in Act 4, as she kneels in prayer with a troubled mind before going to bed.
Here is the English translation
Ave Maria, overflowing with grace,
Blessed be the fruit of thy womb.
Blessed are you above all women
for delivering to us Christ Jesus.
Pray for the one
who kneels in prayer before you,
Pray for the wrongdoer
…and for the innocent,
Pray for the weak and oppressed,
…and for those in power,
For the wretched, likewise,
show your mercy.
Pray for the one suffering
cruel misfortune,
Pray for the one who bows his head
under injustice and cruel fate.
And for us… pray for us,
pray always…
…and in the hour
of our death.
Pray for us…
Pray for us…
for us.
Ave Maria . . .
…In the hour of our death.
Ave…
Amen.
