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Saint Hildegard of Bingen
Bermersheim vor der Höhe, Germany
Archival Overview
Benedictine abbess, mystic, polymath, and composer whose luminous liturgical chants in Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum and allegorical morality play Ordo Virtutum mark the summit of medieval sacred music.
Biographical Record
Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179 CE), founder of the monasteries of Rupertsberg and Eibingen, was one of the most brilliant intellectual and creative figures of the European Middle Ages. Blessed with vivid mystical illuminations from early childhood, she received papal authorization from Eugene III to record her visions in treatises such as Scivias.
In music, Hildegard composed one of the largest surviving repertories of any medieval composer: Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum (Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations). Her ecstatic monophonic chants feature soaring melodic ranges and vivid poetic imagery. Her musical drama Ordo Virtutum (Order of the Virtues, c. 1151) is the earliest known surviving musical morality play.
Key Life Milestones
Composition of the Ordo Virtutum
Composed the historic allegorical musical drama Ordo Virtutum, the earliest surviving morality play with music.
Compilation of the Symphonia Chants
Completed the 77 liturgical musical chants of Symphonia, demonstrating soaring modal polyphony and visionary Latin lyrics.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialBingen am Rhein, Germany