Barbara Zanichelli, Ensemble San Felice, Federico Bardazzi - Hildegard: O Orzchis Ecclesia (2011)

The religious Hildegard von Bingen was known as 'The Sybil of the Rhine' on account of her visions, translated into music with prophetic charisma. This disc presents two sides of Hildegard, an instrument and a mirror, reflecting her divine revelations, through the sound of her words both spoken and sung. The performances are from a specialised early-music ensemble, based in Florence, who have undertaken study of the original manuscripts and (perhaps more unusually) performed the music in public before making this testament to the art of one of music's most singular women, who is still perhaps more famed for her life than her music.

The beginning of the cult for the music of Hildegard von Bingen started with a CD of the British label Hyperion in the 80-ties and ever since it enjoys a huge popularity: the Mystic from the Middle Ages wrote heavenly music, which till today holds its spell over every audience, whether laymen or connoisseur. The magic is unexplainable; one has to experience the power and beauty in solitude. Wonderful performance by the beautiful voices of Ensemble San Felice, accompanied by gothic harp, viol and organ. Full original texts of the music included.