| The Hildegard von Bingen Women’s Chorus, led by Choirmaster Tiziana Fumagalli, was founded in 1992. Today, the Choir’s members boast extensive experience in choral performance. In addition to the presentation of a traditional polyphonic repertoire, the Choir’s mission is to study and to increase awareness of musical works dedicated to female figures and especially of compositions by female composers. As part of its ongoing collaboration with the Como-based “Donneinmusica” group, the Choir researches, transcribes, and performs work by women, including previously unknown and unpublished compositions.
The Choir draws inspiration from Hildegard von Bingen, whose work is the subject of particular study and interest on the part of Choir members. Reflections on von Bingen’s life and work have inspired the Choir’s interpretative and musical approach since its inception and are no less essential in the theme-based programming and lecture-concerts that the Choir offers.
Through its performances, the Choir hopes to recreate the spiritual presence and grandeur of convent singing.
The Choir has participated in numerous cultural events, programs, and festivals and has appeared in collaboration with such prestigious organizations as the University of Verona; the Margaret Fuller Women’s Cultural Center (Pescara); “Il Canto delle Pietre” (The Stones Sing); and the International “Autunno Musicale” Festival, held in Como, Italy. During the latter, the Choir performed in Gustav Holst’s one-act opera, Savitri, with the Autunno Musicale Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Pierangelo Gelmini, as well as in Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, for women’s chorus and harp, also by Holst.
In 2007, the Choir was invited to open the international conference, “The Monastery: A Site of Prayer and Culture,” and appeared as well in the stage production, Fanny Mendelssohn: The Tempo of Life, performing Mendelssohn’s compositions live.
The Choir is particularly pleased to have been graced, for several years, by its partnership with soprano Doina Dinu Palade.
The Choir has recorded two CDs of Hildegard von Bingen’s music. The first, Carmina Canti Spirituali, appeared in 1996 in connection with the publication of the first unabridged translation into Italian of von Bingen’s poetic works (Verona: Demetra, Vincenzo Guarracino, Trans.), and the second, Ecstatic Chants, in 1998 for Recording Arts.
Members
Chiara Arrighi, Alexia Benacchio, Luisa Corbetta, Silvia Galli, Serena Giudici, Gaia Leoni, Marta Masola, Francesca Manili Pessina, Maria Caterina Notarfrancesco, Grazia Pasin, Maria Cristina Pifferi, Cinzia Porta, Silvia Saldarini, Mariangela Todeschin, Lara Valsecchi |
