"This age is a woman's age" - Istud tempus muliebre est - wrote Hildegard von Bingen to the Archbishop of Mainz in 1178. Known for her visions and compositions, the 12th-century nun and founder of two monasteries bore in her name the struggle - "hild" - she waged throughout her life against injustice and corruption. She does not hesitate to conclude her letter in these terms: "In short, your outrageous, insulting and threatening words are not to be listened to. The punishments your pride brandishes serve not God but the unbridled presumptions of your shameless will."

Tempus muliebre is a literary dialogue, based on an original libretto by Elisabeth Kaess, bringing together letters from Hildegard and poems by Iranian and Afghan women. It is also a musical dialogue bringing together extracts of medieval songs and a creation by Strasbourg composer Gualtiero Dazzi. It's about freedom and the place of women in different societies: yesterday, today, in the East, in the West - a theme that is both universal and undeniably topical.

CREATION 2024

Discantus Cécile Banquey, Christel Boiron, Maud Haering, Catherine Sergent: singing, handbells Brigitte Lesne: narrator, conductor, handbells

TrioPolycordes Sandrine Chatron: harp Florentino Calvo: mandolin Jean-Marc Zvellenreuther: guitar

Collectif Comme une présence Elisabeth Kaess: libretto Gualtiero Dazzi: composition