St Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century nun, was one of the most intriguing polymaths of her age. She was a natural scientist, composer, theologist, mystic and physician, whose written teachings made a serious impression on the world view of the Middle Ages. In Visionum ac Revelationum libri tres, she detailed her visions and revelations in three volumes. At their concert, Ensemble Mandel evoke the figure and work of the saint with a string of authentic medieval songs and improvisations.
Founded in Vienna in 2014, by musician and instrument historian Róbert Mandel, the ensemble performs in different formations, from trio to septet. At this concert they seek to provide today’s listeners with an authentic interpretation of a completely new musical world, the fusion of the original music of St Hildegard of Bingen and modern electronic sound. The medieval pieces are faithfully performed on authentic instruments, and some of the compositions are based on the ensemble’s collaboration and joint improvisation with electronic composer Zsolt Kaltenecker.

This concert of the Budapest Spring Festival is presented by Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre.