The Hildegard Commission Concert returns with groundbreaking premieres from our four winners, today’s most exciting rising composers—che buford, Līva Blūma, Fjóla Evans, and Maria-Eduarda Mendes Martin—along with works from our four brilliant finalists. The namesake of our commission, 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, used vivid, intricate miniature drawings in her prophetic books to bring complex spiritual visions to life. For this year’s commission, our winners have composed music that directly responds to a distinct illustration from Hildegard's codices. These historic images will be brought to life through dynamic animations and projections from a visionary visual designer, transforming the performance space into an interactive ecosystem of sight and sound. Step into a multi-sensory, immersive environment inspired by the extraordinary legacy of the 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen.
LIVE AT NATIONAL SAWDUST // DOORS AT 6:30PM // SLIDING SCALE TICKETS ($5-50)
December 10, 2026
7:30 pm
New works inspired by Hildegard’s life, music and works of art
A Hildegard Symposium on visual music
Performed by Trinity Choir and the National Sawdust Ensemble
Jeffrey Zeigler, Music Director of the National Sawdust Ensemble
Experience the profound depth of Hildegard’s visions, evoking the same sense of wonder as gazing at a starlit night or standing before a towering masterpiece. Given Hildegard’s enduring appeal across a wide range of fields such as music, medicine, natural sciences, and philosophy, this concert offers a stunning exploration of what it means to be human, spiritual, and connected to the world we share.
// The Hildegard Commission is generously supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Endeavor Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Development Fund.
// This is a seated performance. If you require accessibility accommodations, please email boxoffice@nationalsawdust.org.