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Rating: 
Summary: An Extraordinarily Beautiful Collection
Review: In this 2-DVD set is collected several programs, from disparate sources and uniformly stunningly beautiful, centered on the life and work of the 12th-century saint, Hildegard of Bingen--poet, prophet, activist, musician, artist, mystic. On DVD 1 is a 70-minute filmed version of her 'Ordo Virtutem' ('Ritual of Virtues') performed by a group of British singers/actors under the direction of Michael Fields and Evelyn Tubb; Ms Tubb portrays the central character, Anima (The Soul). It was shot in a the ruin of an abbey somewhere, I'd guess in England (although it might be Germany) and the visual effect is simply gorgeous. The 'staging' is hieratic, befitting the ritualistic nature of the chanting, and features individual singers for each of the Virtues (Humility, Knowledge of God, Charity, Fear of God, Obedience, Faith, Hope, etc.). Like a good opera or sacred oratorio, it tells of the moving story of the Soul's fight against the Devil with the aid of the Virtues. Following that, on DVD 1, is a 45 minute conversation with and lecture by Matthew Fox, a well-known scholar of the life and works of Hildegard. Fox, a liberal theologian and Dominican priest who was silenced by the Vatican and later dismissed from his order, is now an Episcopal priest in California. His knowledge of Hildegard is second to none, and the interview and lecture are unfailingly fascinating. On DVD 2 is a dramatization of Hildegard's life from the BBC. It features Patricia Routledge (best known to us Americans as Hyacinth Bucket on the BBC program, 'Keeping Up Appearances,' but for many years a serious actress) as the German abbess Hildegard. Again, the mise en scène is gorgeous, the acting beautifully done. The hour-long program portrays the highlights of Hildegard's life in scrupulous detail. This is followed, on DVD 2, by a 50-minute documentary, with a good deal of music from the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., about Hildgard. It brings a different slant to the story, and makes use of meticulously researched and presented graphics from the period. Finally, on DVD 2, is a 30-minute presentation, again by Matthew Fox, of art of the period that illustrates Hildegard's mystic visions. I can't imagine anyone interested in Hildegard not wanting to own this set. The presentation is first-class and the material included is almost encyclopedic. The performances of the music is strikingly good. Recommended. Scott Morrison
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