 Critical reception towards the song was mixed . Many contemporary critics praised its balladry and Knowles ' vocals while others dubbed it as merely a normal take on the original . Following the release of I Am ... Sasha Fierce , " Ave Maria " debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 150 on November 29 , 2008 , based on downloads alone . The song was a part Knowles ' set list during her I Am ... Tour ( 2009 – 10 ) where she sang it dressed in a wedding dress and veil . " Ave Maria " was subsequently included on her live album , I Am ... World Tour ( 2010 ) . Knowles also performed the song as a tribute to Michael Jackson during the 2009 BET Awards . 
