Sibyls and Prophets by Pietro Perugino
Perugino's vibrant masterpiece, above, is another Advent painting depicting the coming birth of Christianity through the marriage of Jewish monotheism and Greek mystery religion. Six Old Testament prophets line the left side of the canvas as the bridegrooms: Isaiah, Moses, Daniel, David, Jeremiah and Solomon. On the right are the brides: six of the sibyls of the Ancient pagan world, (from Erythrea, Persia, Cumaea, Libya, Tibur and Delphi).
The Spanish version of the Song of the Sibyl is performed by Hesperion XX in the video below. Originating sometime between the 12th-14th century, the song has been named a Unesco Heritage treasure of oral tradition. In churches throughout Spain a young woman with a sword processes down the darkened aisle by candlelight to sing this arresting music to inaugurate the Christmas Eve liturgy.
The Spanish version of the Song of the Sibyl is performed by Hesperion XX in the video below. Originating sometime between the 12th-14th century, the song has been named a Unesco Heritage treasure of oral tradition. In churches throughout Spain a young woman with a sword processes down the darkened aisle by candlelight to sing this arresting music to inaugurate the Christmas Eve liturgy.
RSS Feed
