About

Join us for Viriditas: the music and life of Hildegard von Bingen, a unique series of events exploring the contemporary resonances of the music and life of one of the most remarkable women of the middle ages. Hildegard von Bingen (1098 - 1179) was a visionary, mystic, poet, healer, naturalist and theologian. She was also the world’s first named composer – and the most prolific and original musician of her time.

Viriditas (Latin for “green truth” or “greening power”) speaks to the intrinsic and vital relationships that exist between all living beings. The concept is central to the systematic botanical and medicinal texts - for which Hildegard is recognised as the founder of German naturalism - and is a theme key to her life-long ecstatic visions that are strikingly documented in the poetic lyrics and soaring melodies of her music, and in the texts and illuminations of her theological and cosmological treaties.

Find out more about the music, life, visions and writings of Hildegard Von Bingen by joining us for a Q&A with Fiona Maddocks, author of Hildegard Von Bingen: The Woman of Her Age.

Fiona will be joined by feminist theorist, Professor of Cultural Studies Margaretta Jolly (School of Media and Film, Sussex Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research) and scholar of medieval mysticism, Professor of History of Art, Liz James (School of History, Art History and Philosophy), chaired by Dr Alice Eldridge (Lecturer in Music Technologies, School of Music, Film and Media, Department of Music).

Copies of Fiona Maddocks’ book on Hildegard, and her recent Music for Life, will be on sale in the foyer.

Fiona Maddocks is the classical music critic of the Observer. She was the founder editor of BBC Music Magazine and chief arts feature writer of the Evening Standard. Her books include Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of her Age, WildTracks: Harrison Birtwistle and Music for Life (all published by Faber).

General Information

Access

If you have access requirements that you would like to discuss with us or would like to book a ticket for a Personal Assistant please contact the box office on 01273 678 822 or email boxoffice@attenboroughcentre.com.

Box Office Opening Times

The box office (phone line and drop-in service) is open from 10am to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays. The box office is also open one hour before the advertised show start time.