HILDEGARD

Follow the battle of this femina universalis in a colorful opera in the church: Opera & Ordo Virtutum

Premiere: November 10, 2018 Oude Kerk Den Bosch, Novembermusic

Step into the magical world of the medieval composer and mystic Hildegard von Bingen: a freethinker who designed her own language, wrote freely about female sexuality and had her nuns act - very unusual in the twelfth century. As strong as uncertain, Hildegard successfully fought for a place of her own where she could reach great artistic heights and gather a thriving community around her. And all thanks to a good portion of self-will ... or rather in spite of that?

Composer Steven Kamperman wrote a modern opera about an authentic performance of Hildegard's Gregorian opera predecessor The Order of the Virtues. The recurring melodies of Hildegard sometimes sound recognizable, but they mainly surprise through a new perspective. From baroque to even a touch of blues: Kamperman forges the whole into a multicolored sound world. Stage director Annechien Koerselman - never afraid of a dissenting opinion - makes the voices of the acclaimed female quintet Wishful Singing shine in an imaginative stage direction together with the versatile soprano Wynanda Zeevaarder as Hildegard and the harsh basses of Marc Pantus as her opponent abbot Kuno van Disibodenberg. .

Photo © Walter Goyen

Credits Cast & Crew

Hildegard Wynanda Zeevaarder (soprano)

Ricardis Marjolein Stots (alto)

Kuno van Disibodenberg / Volmar Marc Pantus (base/bariton)

Hildegards Sisters Wishful Singing (vocal female quintet): Anne-Christine Wemekamp (1st soprano), Maria Goetze (2nd soprano), Marjolein Verburg (mezzo-soprano), Carolina Alves (1st alto), Marjolein Stots (2de alto)

Instrumental Ensemble Berry van Berkum (pipe organ), George Dumitriu (viola, violin), Steven Kamperman (clarinets), Dion Nijland (double base)

Composition Steven Kamperman, Hildegard von Bingen (Ordo Virtutum)

Libretto Kirsten Roosendaal

Stage direction, Set design & props Annechien Koerselman

Costumedesign Vera Selhorst

Lightdesign & Technics Roland van Meel

V Vocal coaching Gregorian chant, Translation Ordo Virtutum Jerry Korsmit   

Photography Allard Willemse

Graphical design Thies de Waard  

Trailer Bowie Verschuuren  

Audio-recordings Alex Geurink

Marketing Gaby Hendrickx

Publicity Johan Kloosterboer, Vera Vos

Business manager Ineke Smits

Artistic Manager, Producer Steven Kamperman

Calender

Nijmegen Antonius van Paduakerk November 08, 2018

Zwolle Michaëliskerk November 09, 2018

Den Bosch November Music November 10, 2018 premiere

Zutphen Walburgiskerk November 16, 2018

Amsterdam Orgelpark November 17, 2018

Utrecht Nicolaikerk November 22, 2018

Utrecht Nicolaikerk November 23, 2018

Groningen Musica Antiqua November 30, 2018

Eindhoven Muziek in de Cathrien December 01, 2018

More information: hildegard-opera.nl, Steven Kamperman

Hildegard is made possible by the Fonds Podiumkunsten, Gemeente Utrecht, Het Feneter van Vlissingen Fonds, BNG Cultuurfonds, het Prins Bernard CultuurFonds, Fonds 21, Elise Mathilde, Norma Fonds, Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst, Stichting Carel Nengerman Fonds, Gravin van Bylandt Stichting

© Painting Emily Balivet (2015)