麻豆社

As part of our centenary season, we present the UK premiere of Sir James MacMillan鈥檚 work for choir, Ordo Virtutum, a setting of a sacred music drama by Hildegard of Bingen.

Hers was the first ever medieval musical drama and concerns the struggle for the human soul in a battle between Good and Evil, represented by the Virtues and the Devil. Macmillan鈥檚 new virtuosic work for choir is in four sections.

In Part 1 the Virtues meet the Patriarchs and Prophets. We also meet the main character, the Soul. In Part 2 the Devil intervenes and tries to win her. Various Virtues confront him. They are Knowledge of God, Humility, Charity, Fear of God, Obedience, Faith, Hope, Chastity, Innocence, Celestial Love, Discipline, Modesty, Mercy and Victory.