Hildegard von Bingen, nicknamed 'the Sibyl of the Rhine' was a German Benedictine abbess. Born in 1098, she was the tenth child of a noble family in Bernersheim in Germany. At the age of eight, she was sent to Jutta Von Sponheim for her education, the abbess of the convent at Disibodenberg and her mentor.
At the age of fifteen she already took her vows. When Jutta dies, she takes over the leadership of the female community and becomes abbess. As a cultured woman with her own opinion, she came into conflict with Kuno of Disibodenberg, abbot of the Benedictine monastery, and founded an independent women's convent on the Rupertsberg in Bingen. She was clairvoyant from an early age. A fascinating woman with mystical traits who proved to be one of the most influential women of the twelfth century. Revered during her lifetime by the common people and consulted by the great. She reached the exceptionally high age of 81 for that time.
Today she is especially known for her visions about the interconnectedness of the cosmos and her extensive correspondence with famous people. Her writings continue to inspire, are immortal. What this lady assembled and composed in her lifetime is truly impressive. As a mystic, she nevertheless stood with both feet firmly anchored to the earth. She did not write exalted, woolly texts, but rather quite daring formulations, lyrical and sensual in a synthesis of subtlety and beauty.
The choir of the Sint-Romboutskathedraal is acoustically the ideal choice to host the ensemble VocaMe. This ensemble consists of four talented singers: Sigrid Hausen (voice in residence) and Petra Noskaiová, mezzo-sopranos; Gerlinde Sämann and Sarah M. Newman, sopranos; conducted and accompanied by Michael Popp. He has immersed himself in early music for several decades. He accompanies the ladies alternately on vielle, zither and lute.
Through the tonal color, the voices lean beautifully against each other or lift each other up in a subtle tonal alchemy. There are rhythmically complex passages but all songs are presented smoothly and technically perfectly. A featherlight dynamism emerges in the performance through changes in positioning, refined in its simplicity. During the performance your gaze wanders occasionally. The singing is rich and intensely colored like the splendid stained glass windows. Heavenly music, connected to the navel of the world.
VocaMe, beautiful singing of a cheerful serenity, testifying to a peaceful hymn to life.
- WHAT: Hildegard von Bingen: Songs and Visions
- WHO: VocaMe (Sigrid Hausen and Petra Noskaiová, mezzo-sopranos; Gerlinde Sämann and Sarah M. Newman, sopranos; conducted and accompanied by Michael Popp
- WHERE & WHEN: Mechelen, Sint-Romboutskathedraal, 26 April 2018