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SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN IMPORTANT MEDIEVAL COMPOSER AND “INVENTOR” OF OPERA

FULL NAME: Hildegard von Bingen (A.K.A. Sibyl of the Rhine)

BORN: C. 1098, BEMERSHEIM, WEST FRANCONIA (NOW GERMANY)

DIED: 1179, RUPERTSBERG, WEST FRANCONIA (NOW GERMANY)

NATIONALITY: GERMAN

Illustration of Saint Hildegard (date unknown)

INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOD

Hildegard von Bingen achieved many things through devotion to her faith. She became a nun, but she was also a composer, author, preacher, visionary healer-doctor—later a saint. She is also credited as being the inventor of opera. From a young age, Hildegard felt a connection to God. She experienced visions and heard voices. Her parents sent her, aged eight, to live in a convent. As a student of the mother superior, Jutta, Hildegard read and studied widely. When Jutta died, 38-year-old Hildegard was unanimously elected by her fellow nuns to replace her. Her writings became well known, and many nuns came to learn from her. Hildegard knew about medicine and was a great healer. Crowds gathered to have her “miracles” worked on them. She preached widely, even though this was illegal for women. She often challenged senior Church officials and fought for independence. Some of her views on the Church, and on women in society, were progressive. She corresponded with several important figures of the time, many of whom sought her advice, including the German emperor and the English monarchs.

THE CULT OF HILDEGARD

Hildegard was one of the most prolific writers of her time. She documented her religious visions, as well as writing poetry, plays, and books on medicine and women’s health. As well as for her role as a visionary, she is best known today as a composer of popular songs, which are still being performed. Around 70 of her compositions have survived—a huge number for a medieval composer.

After she died, the process of making her a saint was started—but it wasn’t until 2012 that she was declared a saint. She was also named a “Doctor of the Church”—a title held by very few saints—to emphasize the importance of her teachings. A “Cult of Hildegard” exists today, followed by those who live by those teachings. Hildegard was a determined leader. She is still celebrated as a feminist who both promoted and celebrated the virtues of female community and intellect.