Ordo Virtutum (Latin for Order of the Virtues) is an allegorical morality play, or sacred music drama, by St. Hildegard, composed c. It is the earliest morality play by more than a century, and the only medieval musical drama to survive with an attribution for both text and music.
What is the Ordo Virtutum an example of?
One of her works as a composer, the Ordo Virtutum, is an early example of liturgical drama and arguably the oldest surviving morality play.
What is the plot for Ordo Virtutum?
Ordo Virtutum tells the story of the challenges of the Human Soul (Anime) as she is guided by the Virtues, led by their queen, Humility, to obtain wholeness of the spirit. Through Ordo Virtutum Hildegard promotes restoring the lost unity between Creator and Creation.
Is Ordo Virtutum an opera?
Though credited as being a predecessor of modern opera, Ordo virtutum, whose title translates in English to “the company of virtues,” isn’t technically an opera.
What was the intended audience for the Ordo Virtutum?
The Ordo Virtutum was primarily written for an audience of nuns, and would have largely—though not exclusively—been performed in Hildegard’s own Rupertsberg Convent. This does not mean, of course, that the play would only have been seen by women, as visiting men would also have been common audience members.
What is Hildegard’s play of Virtues?
“The Play Of Virtues” is a dramatic musical work presented on a stage without sets or costumes, much like an early oratorio. Her most famous work is The Play of Virtues, a musical morality play in which intangible concepts like mercy, peace and love are personified.
What is Hildegard von Bingen most famous music?
Hildegard’s most important works include Ordo virtutum, 43 antiphons, 18 responsories, as well as sequences, hymns, and chants. It is unknown whether her compositions were performed outside of her convent. Even hundreds of years later, many of her works are still available today.
How does Hildegard’s music differ from Gregorian chant?
Hildegard of Bingen music was part of the musical network of her time. She used the combined modes and a wider range – or ambitus, than the compositions of the Gregorian chant. But she also showed a highly personalized style that can be recognized even by ears not trained to recognize twelfth century music.
What is the play of Virtues about?
Her most famous work is The Play of Virtues, a musical morality play in which intangible concepts like mercy, peace and love are personified. The Play of Virtues is unique in that it written for only female voices at a time when male voices dominated almost every aspect of the church.
What did Hildegard of Bingen do?
Who was Hildegard of Bingen? A 12th-century Benedictine nun who had extraordinary visions. She wrote about these visions in theological books, and she used them as inspiration for compositions. She founded her own abbey, created her own language, and wrote one of the first musical plays.
What was medieval music used for?
Medieval music created for sacred (church use) and secular (non-religious use) was typically written by composers, except for some sacred vocal and secular instrumental music which was improvised (made up on-the-spot).
What is Hildegard’s play of virtues?
What does ordordo Virtutum mean in English?
Ordo Virtutum (Latin for Order of the Virtues) is an allegorical morality play, or liturgical drama, by St. Hildegard, composed c. 1151, during the construction and relocation of her Abbey at Rupertsberg.
Is Ordo Virtutum the oldest play in the world?
It is the earliest morality play by more than a century, and the only Medieval musical drama to survive with an attribution for both the text and the music. A short version of Ordo Virtutum without music appears at the end of Scivias, Hildegard’s most famous account of her visions.
Is there a version of Ordo Virtutum without music?
A short version of Ordo Virtutum without music appears at the end of Scivias, Hildegard’s most famous account of her visions. It is also included in some manuscripts of the Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum (“Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations”), a cycle of more than 70 liturgical songs.
What was the purpose of the performance of Ordo Virtutum?
The performance of Ordo Virtutum would be a chance to use the human voice as a vessel for praise. The play was seen as a spiritual celebration and the joy of overcoming human weakness. A moment of religious celebration, at the consecration of an abbey, would have allowed the women to enjoy the joy of music while still worshiping God.
