HILDEGARD VON BINGEN
medieval music - stage action
Hildegard von Bingen, a mystic, musician, writer, and theologian of the 12th century, left an indelible mark on the religious, musical, and cultural life of the medieval era.
"‘Grant me the gift of fire’ is a stage action in which Hildegard's soul, expressed through choreography and singing, and her body, portrayed through acting, come together to bring to life her mysterious mystical experiences. The performance is accompanied by her own music played with medieval instruments.
The medieval music, acting and dance show is available in Italian, English, Spanish, French, German.
GRANT ME THE GIFT OF FIRE
\\Video of the performance in Italian language
Festival Spiritualia 2023//
The scenic performance is centered around the visions of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), which, as she herself narrates, occurred internally in a perfectly alert psycho-physical state.
During these mystical experiences, Hildegard witnesses otherworldly scenes of strong symbolic significance and hears sounds never heard before in her life.
The mystic sees, hears, and later writes faithfully about what she has seen and heard. From these visions emerge some theological books and two musical collections containing numerous pieces, for which Hildegard composes both the music and the lyrics.
The music has a highly original nature, both in terms of vocal range and the elongation of melismas, sometimes pushed to the limits of performability.
The scenic performance "Grant me the gift of fire", designed by Stefano Sabene, is based on a selection of literary and musical pieces, and includes acting, music, and choreography.
The musical instruments are the same as those from Hildegard's time, with some, like the psaltery, played by the composer herself.
The Ensemble Opera Omnia employs a strictly philological performance practice in realizing the sound sequence on which the scenic action unfolds.
GRANT ME THE GIFT OF FIRE
Artistic project, selection and Italian translation of texts: Stefano Sabene
Coreography and dance by Sabina Domanico
Artists:
Giulia Zadra (Hildegard), narrator
Sabina Domanico (Visione), dancer
Ensemble Opera Omnia
Paola Alonzi, Soprano
Luigi Polsini, Viella / Rebab / Psalter
Lorenzo Sabene, Medieval lute / monochord
Stefano Sabene, Baryton / Medieval Traversa / Percussions
Costumes: Antonia Dilorenzo and Carlotta Mazzoni
Makeup artists: Simona Zizza
Grant me the gift of fire
