Part IV: The Devil is Bound (Mvt. 72-85) 8:45

hen Anima returns, saddened and penitent, she fears that the Virtues will no longer want her, but they receive her with joy. Though the Devil tries to reclaim her, she spurns him and calls the Virtues to her assistance. The Devil is then captured, bound, and defeated. Ordo virtutum closes with prayer, praise, invocation of the natural world, and reaching out to the Almighty Father. One phrase from this concluding section, “Almighty Father, from you flowed a fountain in fiery love,” calls to mind the portrait of Hildegard that opens her illuminated Scivias manuscript, where flames of divine inspiration wash over Hildegard herself. ith this recording, Seraphic Fire presents the world premiere of the complete version of Ordo virtutum on disc. The opening line of the play, “Qui sunt hi qui ut nubes?” has only recently been recognized by scholars as not written by Hildegard (unlike the rest of the drama). Rather, it is the beginning of an anonymous Responsory used for several liturgical feasts, including All Saints, an important one in Hildegard’s community and the day that Hildegard herself made her formal pact with the church. The richly evocative text of this chant fits beautifully with Hildegard’s own literary style, and the “eyes” of the chant text are echoed in the recurring “eye” of the Patriarchs and Prophets’ second speech. The use of this chant by Hildegard to open Ordo virtutum serves a practical purpose as well: any visiting guests who would have taken over the roles of Patriarchs and Prophets would already know this chant, thus shortening rehearsal time! ike Hildegard, then, Seraphic Fire opens its performance of the play with the full chant that she borrowed, launching listeners on a powerful journey of faith, temptation, and redemption set to unforgettable music. © 2021 Honey Meconi. Used with permission.

© Abtei St. Hildegard, Rüdesheim-Eibingen. Used with permission