Ave Maria was largely inspired by Eastern Christianity's view of Mary as 'theotokos' or 'God Bearer' and is a mystical prayer that touches upon many aspects of incarnation. Rizza began composing in 1997, her contemplative choral music being widely acclaimed not only in the UK but also abroad. When commissioned by Harry Christophers to write the choral composition for The Sixteen in 2007, Margaret embraced a new idiom in writing, that of 'Classical Contemporary'.