Hildegard von Bingen - In Portrait - Ordo Virtutum

G :-

Regular 1.33:1 / 4:3 & Widescreen Anamorphic 16;9 - Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - Colour - 250 Minutes - PAL - Documentary

Rosette Recording - Penguin Stereo Guide

Hildegard (1098-1179) was a remarkable woman, a "first" in many fields. At a time when few women wrote, she produced major works of theology, music and visionary writings. She used the curative powers of music and natural objects for healing. She is the first composer whose biography is known. Her story is an inspirational account of an irresistible spirit and vibrant intellect overcoming social, physical, cultural, gender barriers.

DVD 1 :-
-ORDO VIRTUTUM (The Ritual of the Virtues) - An atmospheric filmed performance of Hildegard's great "musical morality play", performed by the dedicated ensemble Vox Animae, lead by early music specialists Evelyn Tubb and Michael Fields.
-A REAL MYSTIC - Interview and lecture with professor Matthew Fox and Mary Ford Grabowsky, leading experts on today's importance of Hildegard's views.

DVD 2 :-
-HILDEGARD - A dramatised BBC biographical documentary on a crucial period in Hildegard's life, starring Patricia Routledge.
-A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION - Documentary from The National Cathedral in Washington about Hildegard's life & times, commented on by a host of religious specialists.
-ILLUMINATIONS - A gallery showing all Hildegard's mystical paintings of her own visions, with optional comments by professor Fox, author of 'Illuminations', the leading book on the Hildegard's art.

"The vocal artistry is at a very high level… neither Evelyn Tubb nor Ansy Boothroyd try to steal the show. …If I were forced to limit my library to only one recording of music by Hildegard von Bingen, this would be it."
-Continuo, USA (Ordo Virtutum)

"I don't know whether it is the piece itself. Or this highly stylized and impeccably concieved performance that converted me from a sceptic to a true believer…the end result is one of the most potent and electrifying - and profoundly moving - 70 minutes of film I've seen in a long time"
-KATHY DOBKIN, WNET (on Ordo Virtutum)

"powerfully dramatic energy"
-Gramophone (Ordo Virtutum)