From the Italian opera “Otello”(Othello may be more familiar to those who have read Shakespeare's work), Ave Maria is Desdemona’s prayer before bed and perhaps the premonition of her own death. She prays for everyone in this beautiful, serene, and intimate aria. BTW, Desdemona could be one of the nicest characters ever created. For instance, in the later scene, she tries to protect Otello when Otello is killing her.