Lingua ignota: Hildegard’s “unknown” language Part I

St Hildegard (1098 – 1179) invented a glossary of her own words containing some thousand nouns covering a bizarre range of subjects from spiritual (starting with terms for God and angels) to natural realms (ending with plants and a few birds and insects). Although one can imagine the lingua ignota being useful for mystical or meditational purposes among her communities in Rhineland Germany, their purpose remains something of a mystery. What is more certain is that Hildegard’s words were invented for their sound, as they are so timbrally colourful when spoken or sung, and form the inspiration for our concert where Voice Trio comes together with Hildegard specialist and composer, Stevie Wishart. They will perform Wishart’s compositions that use Hildegard’s lingua ignota as lyrics, together with medieval, contemporary, and improvised works exploring secrets and signs. The music will also feature the hurdy-gurdy — an enigmatic string instrument, bowed with a wheel and dating from Hildegard’s time and with an increasingly powerful voice in music today.

This programme is set over two dates, with Part 1 performed at Stanton St John on June 14th, and Part 2 performed on June 28th in Beckley. They can still be attended separately.

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Host or Publisher Oxford Festival of the Arts