Hildegard of Bingen embarked on one of the most creative outpourings in history after a mystical experience in her early 40s.
On Sunday, October 29, 12:30 pm at the Revue Cinema, we are revisiting one of our most popular Extraordinary Women events with a screening and discussion about the remarkable and inspiring 12thcentury abbess Hildegard of Bingen. She was a late bloomer. But what a late bloomer. A visionary experience in her early 40s led to one of the most extraordinary creative outpourings in history. On the program:
- An introduction by author Teri Degler, who has explored the lives, work and creativity of women mystics.
- The 50-minute documentary, In the Symphony of the World: A Portrait of Hildegard of Bingen.
- A performance by the choral ensemble Schola Magdalena of Hildegard’s compositions and Gregorian chants.
- A panel discussion about Hildegard’s inspired courage and genius with Teri and Stephanie Martin, the York University music professor who directs Schola Magdalena.
Hildegard may have worn a habit, but she donned many hats: poet and composer, herbalist and healer; theologian and abbess; cosmologist and medical writer, playwright and politician. A true polymath, she wrote about everything — from theology to female sexuality, botany to beer making, while connecting with the most powerful personages of her times. As a woman in that age, she took many risks, challenging the authority of high-ranking church officials and the politically powerful.
As the New York Times described her, she was “before the Renaissance, a Renaissance woman.”
Tickets for the event are $16 on Eventbrite (fees included) and $19 at the door.
About the Documentary: Produced by Flare Productions, 1999, 50 minutes. Directed by Jo Francis and John Fuegi.
About our Experts:
Teri Degler: An award winning author, Teri has 11 books to her credit, including The Fiery Muse: Creativity and the Spiritual Quest (Random House of Canada). Teri has taught workshops on creativity and writing in the U.S. and Canada. For years she has researched yoga philosophy, the divine feminine and highly creative women mystics. Her freelance writing has appeared in many publications, including the Toronto Star. Her book, The Divine Feminine Fire: Creativity and Your Yearning to Express Your Self, was a No. 1 Amazon Bestseller in Canada in two spiritual categories. (www.teridegler.com) Teri has likened Hildegard’s creative accomplishments to those of Leonardo da Vinci.
Stephanie Martin: A composer and conductor, Stephanie is an associate professor of music at York University, where she teaches music history, composition, harpsichord and organ, and coaches historical ensembles. She directs the women’s ensemble Schola Magdalena, which performs both medieval and modern music, is conductor emeritus of Pax Christi Chorale, and past director of music at the historic church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Toronto. This year, her latest oratorio, WATER: An Environmental Oratorio, premiered in Kitchener-Waterloo’s Centre in the Square. She has also performed and recorded with many ensembles.
Schola Magdalena: We are thrilled to have this Toronto-based ensemble, directed by Stephanie Martin, join us for our Extraordinary Women event. The group, dedicated to the performance of chant, medieval and modern music, made its 2007 debut concert in Ottawa, receiving a standing ovation from a capacity audience. The music of Hildegard is of particular interest today and to Schola Magdalena. Her music, though related to Gregorian chant, takes the genre to a virtuosic height. In May, 2009, the group released its first CD, entitled O gracious light. Virgo splendens, the ensemble’s second recording, was launched in September 2011.