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Mystical Voices of Medieval Germany Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

Benjamin Bagby will be presenting a pre-concert talk at 2:30 pm on the day of the concert.

Hildegard von Bingen The name evokes many images: the medieval Benedictine abbess and mystic from the Rhineland, in modern times elevated by the Vatican to the status of saint and doctor ecclesiae; the renowned healer and natural scientist; the keen observer of human nature; the passionate and celebrated witness to the power of divinity as manifested in countless visions of extraordinary vividness; the modern new-age and feminist icon who inspired countless books, performances, and even a recent German film; a woman of noble birth and immense courage, who was not intimidated by the male hierarchy of the 12th century church, who fought for the rights of her convent, and corresponded freely, giving advice to prelates, kings, queens and emperors. But happily for us, this unique medieval woman is also known as a brilliant Latin poet and musician, the creator of over 75 virtuosic spiritual songs of astonishing originality and beauty as well as the earliest surviving music drama written by a known composer.

Sequentia is one of the world’s most respected and innovative ensembles for medieval music. It is an international group of singers and instrumentalists – united in Paris under the direction of the legendary performer and teacher Benjamin Bagby – dedicated to the performance and recording of Western European music from the period before 1300. The size and disposition of the ensemble is determined by the repertoire being performed, and ranges between an instrumental/vocal duo to a large vocal ensemble. Based on meticulous and original research, intensive rehearsal and long gestation, Sequentia’s virtuosic performances are compelling, surprising in their immediacy, and strike the listener with a timeless emotional connection to our own past musical cultures.