Medieval Miracles
Hermann of Reichenau’s Historia Sancti Magni
Medieval Miracles reawakens a dramatic night office from the 11th century, composed by Hermann of Reichenau (‘Hermannus Contractus’), a monk whose brilliant work continues to astonish. Rarely performed since its creation, this “Life of Saint Magnus” conjures a vivid world where miraculous animals, euphoric chant, and monastic storytelling collide—a luminous glimpse into the ecstatic imagination of the early Middle Ages.
In this new reconstruction by vocalist leiken and composer Doug Balliett, the thousand-year-old score becomes a living embodiment of sound and devotion. At a moment when both ancient music and disability history are too often siloed, the Historia Sancti Magni brings them into deliberate conversation, honoring the vision of a disabled composer and inviting audiences to experience his world anew. The result is immersive, contemplative, and electrifying: a performance that crosses the centuries in song.
Personnel: Theotokos ensemble
leiken — voice
Doug Balliett — keyboards, additional vocals
Previous Iterations
NOVEMBER 15, 2024, 7 PM: Coffey Street Studios, Brooklyn, NY
NOVEMBER 17, 2024, 8 PM: St. Mary’s Church, New York, NY
FEBRUARY 21, 2025, 7 PM: Kloster St. Lioba, Germany
FEBRUARY 27, 2025, 7 PM (Partial): Residency performance with Les Arts Florissants, Thiré, France
JUNE 26, 2025, 7 PM: Chelsea Music Festival, St. Paul's Church, New York, NY
