Barbara Thornton

Barbara Thornton was a visionary American singer and medieval music scholar who co-founded the legendary early music ensemble Sequentia in 1977 with Benjamin Bagby. Based in Germany for much of her career, she became renowned for breathing new life into medieval repertoire through meticulous research and emotionally resonant performances. Her groundbreaking work centered on reconstructing and recording the celestial compositions of 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, including landmark projects like *Voice of the Blood* and *Geistliche Gesänge*, which helped catapult Hildegard’s music to global prominence.

Thornton’s warm, translucent soprano voice and scholarly rigor made her a guiding light in the early music revival until her untimely death in 1998. Releases like *Visions From The Book* and *Shining Light* showcase her ability to bridge centuries, transforming ancient monastic melodies into vivid spiritual experiences for modern listeners. Her legacy lives on through Sequentia’s continued explorations and her enduring recordings that still feel both historically profound and strikingly human.

Genres

Medieval

Gregorian Chant

Latest Release

Visions From The Book

Sequentia•

Barbara Thornton•

Benjamin Bagby

Album - 7 Tracks - Released December 1, 1996