Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Hildegard of Bingen was raised by the church from the age of 8 when her parents sent her to a convent. At fourteen, she took her vows. Later, she became an abbess of a convent, and she even went on to begin her own convent around 1150 in Rupertsberg, Germany.

At a very early age Hildegard saw visions which became more vivid and detailed as she aged. It was rumored that she was even able to foretell the future. She educated herself and wrote books about her visions and scientific and medical issues. She did not have any formal musical training because it was not available to females at the time. However, she is one of the main known composers from the middle ages. Unlike the majority of the composers of the time, she signed and published her works. Her works were very distinct because while she used the common monophonic (single line melody with no accompaniment) Gregorian chant style, she wrote for female voices. Therefore her music is characterized by wide range melodies with drastic leaps. She published her works in her book Symphony Harmony of Celestial Revelation (Symphonies Armoire Celestium Revelationum).

Due to her religious status, intelligence, and her visions, many rulers requested her advice on issues of religion or state. She was also very free with her opinions and often confronted rulers if she believed that they were not doing the will of God.

In Her Own Words

"Listen, there was once a king sitting on his throne. Around him stood great and wonderfully beautiful columns ornamented with ivory, bearing the banners of the king with great honor. Then it pleased the king to raise a small feather from the ground and he commanded it to fly. The feather flew not because of anything in itself but because the air bore it along. Thus am I."