Hodie!

Scivias Medieval Ensemble invites you to experience stunning works of music written to celebrate the virgin Mary’s role as the mother of God, the birth of Jesus, and the effects of this miracle on humanity for many centuries after this holy day.

These celebratory works come from all over the European continent, ranging from Italian hymns of joy to complicated polyphony from St. Martial in northern France, as well as works sourced from Germany and Spain. Most of these works are written in the 12th and 13th centuries and are based on chant, including two rhapsodic chants by Hildegard von Bingen. Some works are built upon common chants, such as two-voice discant organum, “Verbum bonum et suave” or florid organum, “Alleluya, dies sanctificatus.” Still others are composed without reference to pre-existing chant in particular rhythmic patterns, such as the conductus “Ortu regis evanescit.” The jewel of the concert is one of the rare examples of organum quadruplum, “Viderunt omnes,” written by Magister Pérotin.