BRATTLEBORO-The Pandora Consort returns to the Epsilon Spires Sanctuary for the second time this year on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., with an encore performance of their "Hildegard Reanimated: Vision in Vision" program, which organizers said resulted in a standing ovation to a packed house back in April 2025.
The program explores the mystical visions of 12th-century composer, theologian, philosopher, botanist, and doctor, Hildegard of Bingen through her spiritual music for voice and harmonium, accompanied by animated projections of her most famous divine illuminations.
This performance also marks the continuation of both Epsilon Spires' "Grrls to the Front" series and their collaboration with local arts residency and self-described "eco-cultural catalyst," In Situ Polyculture Commons, where the Pandora Consort trio will be housed for creative retreat for the duration of their recording residency.
The two arts organizations are collaborating to record "Hildegard Reanimated" as the newest installment of Epsilon Spires ongoing recording publishing series, which has also recorded and released records by Japanese sound artist FUJI|||||TA and Franco-Swiss composer François J. Bonnet, performing under the project name Kassel Jaeger.
For a multi-sensorial experience at the Oct. 19 event, refreshments, such as cookies inspired by Hildegard's "Cookies of Joy" recipe, will be on offer to "calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful."
Epsilon Spires and In Situ Polyculture also welcome back central-Vermont based Golden Rule Mead to the Sanctuary, whose proprietor, Alex Apfel, will be at the event.
Hildegard was an impressive figure in many regards; she was one of the first named composers of music. Hildegard experienced visions ("umbra viventis lucis" or "the reflection of the living light") from the age of three up to her death, and many of her writings and illuminations are a result of these visions.
Hildegard's writings, visions, and music are inextricably linked in her life and philosophy.
Taking inspiration from her life, the Pandora Consort - Kendra Comstock, Angie Tyler, and Gina Marie Falk - weave their voices to focus on four of Hildegard's visions, working with visual artist Cate Duckwall.
Tickets and more information are available at bit.ly/836-hilde.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.