Kassía (Kassianí), the composer of these hymns, is considered the earliest female composer whose music has survived.
Cappella Romana's recording of Kassía's tetraō´dion and Christmas hymns aims to dispel the notion of her as a 'one-hit wonder.'
Kassía's independence of thought and accomplishments as a composer have led to comparisons with Hildegard of Bingen, a later German abbess.
Kassianí's 'Hymn of Kassianí' for Holy Wednesday is one of the most popular hymns in the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly in Greece.
Kassía composed 33 stíchera idiómela, for which she created original melodies recorded in manuscripts using Byzantine musical signs called neumes.
This album is the 25th recording by Cappella Romana, a professional vocal ensemble dedicated to exploring Christian East and West musical traditions.
Kassía was once considered as a potential empress for Emperor Theophilos but was passed over for being too forthright.
