Surrounded by glowing Christmas decorations and wearing a sparkling silver dress, Beyonce was performing live at the Rockefeller Center in New York, and she was about to give a performance that would both surprise and enchant her fans. An artist best known for her powerful R&B vocals, Beyonce utilized her talents in an entirely new context in 2008 when she decided to rewrite her very own version of ‘Ave Maria,’ shocking fans with the decision to take on Franz Schubert’s iconic piece.
Music Man fans may not expect Beyonce’s style to complement the traditional sound of Schubert’s 1825 piece. However, her live performance at the Rockefeller Center, showcasing her R&B ballad twist on the piece, proved her impressive vocal prowess as well as her creativity as an artist. Fans were blown away by the balance of delicacy and power in her performance, with one fan commenting, “Beyonce turns every song into gold” on the video of the performance, which received over 15M views online.
With the Christmas lights twinkling around her and live musicians, including a cellist and violinist, joining her in front of the Rockefeller skyline, Beyonce managed to craft a truly magical atmosphere for her performance. However, Music Man readers are sure to agree that Beyonce doesn’t need to rely on a visual spectacle in order to infuse a performance with magic. This was made clear in the way Beyonce incorporated ‘Ave Maria’ into her 2009 ‘I Am…’ Tour.
For her tour, Beyonce decided to create a mash-up of ‘Ave Maria’ and Sarah McLachlan’s song ‘Angel’. Appearing onstage in a flowing white dress, the stage was kept bare to ensure the focus was kept on Beyonce’s stunning vocals. The performance was at once both simplistic and creative, as the only visual moment came when dancers placed a veil on her, transforming Beyonce into a bride and allowing the emotional depth of the songs to shine through, making the performance all the more poignant.
With Beyoncé’s reputation historically being built off of her contributions to R&B music, many are now aware, thanks to the release of 2024’s ‘Cowboy Carter’, that Beyoncé is an artist who is more than willing to expand her limits, stretch her creativity, and explore different styles within her work. By resurfacing gems like her rendition of ‘Ave Maria’, we are able to gain an insight into the true breadth of this iconic artist’s creativity whilst remaining reassured that, no matter which direction she decides to take us in, her talent shines on throughout.
Beyonce continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of R&B and classical influences, demonstrating her versatility and creative genius on stage. Her stunning rendition of ‘Ave Maria’ is just one example of how she masterfully bridges musical genres, leaving fans eager for more.
