The vocal and instrumental consort Capilla Flamenca borrows its name from Emperor Charles V's court chapel. When this prince left the Low Countries for good in 1517, he took along our country's best musicians, who, accompanying him under the name of Capilla Flamenca, made the famous polyphony of the Low Countries resound in Spain as well. The present Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialized musicians mainly from Flanders in order to bring to life again the brilliant music of the Golden Age of the polyphonists in the Low Countries. Thanks to experience, musicological research and a high degree of creativity, this Flemish ensemble has developed its own typical sound and style. Its continuous return to the historical model leads to unique programmes, which offer the modern listener music that was largely unknown, performed for the first time in 400 of 500 years in an enjoyable way.

The core of the Capilla Flamenca consists of four male singers: countertenor Marnix De Cat, tenor Jan Caals, baritone Lieven Termont and bass Dirk Snellings. According to the programme they perform this quartet enlarges with complementary singers, an alta cappella, a bassa cappella or an organ. Several records, numerous concerts at home and abroad, favourable reviews and awards provide ample evidence of the artistic excellence of this Flemish group.

October 2001