Women in Music from the Middle Ages to the Present: Voices from Monasteries and Beyond

This workshop will explore the often-overlooked role of women in music from the 12th to the 14th centuries, with a focus on the sacred repertoire preserved in Benedictine convents in Germany and Bohemia. Participants will learn about prominent figures such as Hildegard of Bingen, as well as lesser-known women (or even unknown women) whose musical voices survive in medieval manuscripts. The session will include an introduction to selected sources, and a demonstration of how these materials are approached by modern scholars and performers, with an option for attendees to participate. The workshop will also reflect on the contemporary reception of this repertoire, highlighting the work of female-led ensembles such as Tiburtina Ensemble and their efforts to revive and reinterpret the music of medieval women. Through discussion and examples, participants will gain insight into the historical position of women in music and how their artistic legacy continues to inspire today’s performers and researchers. Led by Barbora Kabátková—musicologist, singer, and artistic director of Tiburtina Ensemble—this interactive session welcomes music lovers, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of gender, history, and medieval soundscapes.