Ave María, originally titled Tanti anni prima, was composed for the film Enrico IV (1984) by Marco Bellocchio featuring Marcello Mastroianni and Claudia Cardinale. The
film was based on Luigi Pirandello’s play of the same title. Ave María is the theme associated with Matilde, Claudia Cardinale’s rôle in the movie. The piece was originally written for oboe and piano.