Brussels Cathedral is set to vibrate – in an unusual way – in a homage to a Middle Ages Saint Hildegard Von Bingen.
The city centre cathedral will play host to a musical “tribute” to Hildegard Von Bingen, a 12th century Benedictine Saint.
Hildegard of Bingen, also known as Saint Hildegard and the Sibyl of the Rhine, was a Benedictine polymath active as a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary and as a medical writer and practitioner during the Middle Ages.
She also holds another unique distinction – the German abbess is responsible for the earliest surviving writings on the use of hops in beer, and for that she has been venerated as an unofficial patron saint of beer.
Hildegard died in her beloved Rupertsberg in 1179 at age 81—an incredible example of longevity at a time when the life expectancy was merely 30 to 40 years. There are those who speculate that her daily ration of well-hopped beer may have given her a life that was as long as it was enjoyable.
Later this month, Hildegard will also be at the heart of a special cultural event organized by the “Ars in Cathedrali” association.
During her lifetime Hildegard composed more than 70 liturgical chants and what is probably the first moral play ever written, the “Ordo virtutum”.
Her pieces are contained in two main manuscripts, including the Codex Villarensis (Dendermonde Codex) which was kept until 2017 in the library of the Abbey of Dendermonde (Termonde), and then entrusted to the library of the Faculty of Theology of KU Leuven for its conservation.
Hildegard’s music accompanied, even complemented, her written works and tribute will be paid to her musical and other talents at a concert by the FILIÆ ensemble at Brussels Cathedral at 8pm on May 24.
This is followed on May 25, also at 8pm, by “Ad Lucem”, a performance by Jean-Paul Dessy (cello) and Romain Dayez (baritone).
This is described as a contemporary reinterpretation of Hildegard’s work and brings together two Belgians, the composer and cellist Jean-Paul Dessy and baritone Romain Dayez.
A third and final performance, “O Wonderful Flowering”, takes place at 6pm at the Cathedral on 26 May by the female vocal ensemble “La Noeva”
La Noeva is a female a cappella ensemble specializing in repertoires mixing medieval and contemporary music.
Further info at www.cathedralisbruxellensis.be
[email protected] – 02/229.24.90
