What connects a 12th century female polymath from Germany with Haitian Voodoo and Neurodiversity? Taking the extraordinary life and work of Hildegard von Bingen as its starting point, Hildegard: Visions is a sensory opera-happening that transports its audience through a journey from intimacy to ecstasy.

Like Hildegard’s cosmic visions, perceptual disorders such as the newly discovered ‘Visual Snow’ present those who experience them with new realities. Using voice, sculptural light installation, electronic soundscapes and ideas of ritual from across cultures and times, the piece invites us both to reflect on these connections, and to discover our own, singular realities.

This R&D happening drawing together three original commissions from a diverse range of composers continues Nwando Ebizie’s (Lady Vendredi) research into performative installation and ritual connected to the Neurophenomenology of Perception.

This performance is a participatory experience. Limited seating is available but it has been primarily designed to be interacted with from a position of either standing / moving / seated on the floor on cushions & beanbags.

Participatory options include simply observing the performance, as well as taking part in the sensory elements of touch, smell, movement and light.

Please note there will be strobe lighting effects.

Supported by Opera North Projects