Ordo Virtutum

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Hildegard von Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum

Saturday, March 18 at 8:00 pm and Sunday March 19 at 2:00 pm

St. Louis Abbey Church on the St. Louis Priory Campus

Presented by the Saint Louis Women’s Chorale

Under the direction of Scott Schoonover

Tickets are available at the door. Adults – $15, Students and Seniors – $13.

The Saint Louis Women’s Chorale proudly presents the rarely performed medieval musical drama Ordo Virtutum, or “Play of the Virtues.” Written by Hildegard von Bingen around 1150, Ordo Virtutum transcends the plainchant style common at that time with unusual intervals, cascades of notes in extended melismatic passages, repeated melodic cells and extraordinary vocal range in monophonic lines for female voices. The performance will take place in the St. Louis Abbey Church at the St. Louis Priory. This semi-staged production features soprano Ann Hoyt. Also enjoy the sounds of medieval instruments.

Directions - From Highway 64/40 east or west, exit north onto Mason Road. Drive a short distance north on Mason Road. The campus is on your right after you pass Priory Lane. If you reach Conway Road, you have gone too far.

The “Play of the Virtues” - The story of the Ordo Virtutum is simple. A Soul, still imprisoned in the human body she must wear on her journey through life, presents herself to the Virtues to be accepted into heaven. But the Virtues offer no easy transformation. All they can promise is their help in fighting the temptations of the world through which the Soul must still pass. Disappointed, the Soul feels she can no longer resist the world’s blandishments, and leaves in the company of the ever-present Devil. The Virtues mourn her defection but find strength in their ability to work together to the glory of God. When the Soul returns, besmirched but penitent, they accept her back, and together they help her conquer the Devil.

The music for the Ordo Virtutum is closely connected with the Latin text. Hildegard uses different tones, modes and melodic treatments to represent various virtues, vices and emotions. There is a vibrant connection between the emotional imagery and the expressive melodies in this moving work that goes far beyond its origins as a morality play to become a spiritual celebration of goodness and life – all within the confines of the plainchant style.

The Composer - Hildegard von Bingen was an extraordinary person. A 12^th century visionary, poet, composer, prophetess, theologian, natural scientist, prolific writer and administrator, Hildegard was consulted by bishops, emperors, and even popes, on both secular and sacred matters. Born in 1098, Hildegard entered the convent at the age of eight. She eventually became abbess and started her own monastery in the Rhineland near Bingen. Ordo Virtutum was composed there, probably for the dedication of the new convent. In addition to her extensive body of prose, Hildegard wrote 77 religious poems, all with music. She lived to the age of eighty-one, working productively until the end.

The St. Louis Women’s Chorale was founded in 1995 to create a community of women dedicated to performing music by, for, and about women. Our mission is the performance of quality repertoire for women’s voices. As American women in the 21^st century, we have a voice unlike any in history. Through participation in the St. Louis Women’s Chorale, women have the opportunity to find and experience the power of their own voices and to let those voices be heard in St. Louis, across Missouri, throughout the United States and around the world.

***I am one of the soloists (Chastity) in this performance and am also one of 12 of the small ensemble of singers (the virtues) from the bigger choir. Come and see us! Here's the translation if you want the full story.***