Hildegard von Bingen's Ordo Virtutum (Newton)

Immerse yourself in chanted opera: what Director LeClair calls the very first opera, written around 1150 by Abbess and now St. Hildegard von Bingen, fully staged for modern audiences with 18 women and men lending gender fluidity to the various ancient roles; with Na’ama Lion, flute, Nancy Hurrell, harp, Laura Jeppesen, vielle, and Mike Williams, percussion.

Hildegard von Bingen’s ORDO VIRTUTUM is what LeClair has called the very first opera, written around 1150 by Abbess St. Hildegard von Bingen. We fully stage it in modern dress: our conceit is that the 18 Virtues work for small NGO. Lending a new gender fluidity to the Virtues, both men and women sing the various roles, and the devil is a female, perhaps a  corporate raider, enticing the young soul Anima to love possessions, whatever their cost, thus renewing this extraordinary work’s relevance to today’s audiences. LeClair has transcribed the entire opera and created accompaniment parts for vielle, flute, harp, and percussion. CC will be presenting this at Wellesley College as well in February of 2020.