ORDO VIRTUTUM

​Ordo Virtutum (Latin for Order of the Virtues) is an allegorical morality play, or sacred music drama, by St. Hildegard, composed c. 1151, during the construction and relocation of her Abbey at Rupertsberg. It is the earliest morality play by more than a century, and the only Medieval musical drama to survive with an attribution for both the text and the music.   A short version of Ordo Virtutum without music appears at the end of Scivias, Hildegard's most famous account of her visions. 

Plot
The subject of the play is typical for a musical drama. It shows no biblical events, no depiction of a saint's life, and no miracles.[3] Instead, Ordo Virtutum is about the struggle for a human soul, or Anima, between the Virtues and the Devil. The idea that Hildegard is trying to develop in Ordo Virtutum is the reconnection between the "creator and creation."

The play is divided as follows:

Part I:
Prologue in which the Virtues are introduced to the Patriarchs and Prophets who marvel at the Virtues.

Part II:
We hear the complaints of souls that are imprisoned in bodies. The (for now) happy Soul enters and her voice contrasts with the unhappy souls. However, the Soul is too eager to skip life and go straight to Heaven. When the Virtues tell her that she has to live first, the Devil seduces her away to worldly things.

Part III:
The Virtues take turns identifying and describing themselves while the Devil occasionally interrupts and expresses opposing views and insults. This is the longest section by far and, although devoid of drama or plot, the musical elements of this section make it stand out.

Part IV:
The Soul returns, repentant. Once the Virtues have accepted her back, they turn on the Devil, whom they bind. Together they conquer the Devil and then God is praised.

Part V:
A procession of all the characters.

Cast of Characters:
The Soul (female voice).
The Virtues (sung by 17 solo female voices):
    Humility (Queen of the Virtues)
    Hope
    Chastity
    Innocence
    Contempt of the World
    Celestial Love
    Discipline
    Modesty
    Mercy
    Victory
    Discretion
    Patience
    Knowledge of God
    Charity
    Fear of God
    Obedience
    Faith
(These Virtues were seen as role models for the women of the Abbey, who took joy in overcoming their weaknesses and defeating the Devil in their own lives.)

Chorus of the Prophets and Patriarchs (sung by a male chorus)
Chorus of Souls (sung by a women’s chorus)
The Devil (a male voice -the Devil does not sing, he only yells or grunts: according to Hildegard, he cannot produce divine harmony).