Capilla Flamenca is a vocal and instrumental

early music Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750) or Ancient music (before 500 AD). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad Dates of classical ...

consort based in

Leuven Leuven (, , ), also called Louvain (, , ), is the capital and largest City status in Belgium, city of the Provinces of Belgium, province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located about east of Brussels. The municipalit ...

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

. The group specialises in 14th to 16th century music from Flanders and takes its name from the historical

Flemish chapel (capilla flamenca) The Flemish chapel (Spanish: capilla flamenca) was one of two choirs employed by Philip II of Spain, the other being the Spanish chapel (or capilla española). Deriving from the ''Grand Chapelle'' of Philip I of Castile, the choir served under va ...

, the choir of the court chapel of

Emperor Charles V Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (as Charles I) from 1516 to 1556, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy (as Charles II) fr ...

. When the emperor left Flanders in 1517, he took his best musicians with him to Spain to accompany him as "living polyphony". The ensemble's Artistic Director, Dirk Snellings, died in 2014. The ensemble had ceased performing in November of the previous year.''

Gramophone Magazine ''Gramophone'' (known as ''The Gramophone'' prior to 1970) is a magazine published monthly in London, devoted to classical music, particularly to reviews of recordings. It was founded in 1923 by the Scottish author Compton Mackenzie who continue ...

'' (21 July)
"Capilla Flamenca's Dirk Snellings has died"
Retrieved 22 July 2015.

Members

The core of the Capilla Flamenca is four male singers, Marnix De Cat (

Countertenor A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist (a ...

), Tore Tom Denys (

Tenor A tenor is a type of male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. Composers typically write music for this voice in the range from the second B below m ...

, who succeeded Jan Caals in 2006), Lieven Termont (

Baritone A baritone is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the bass (voice type), bass and the tenor voice type, voice-types. It is the most common male voice. The term originates from the ...

) and Dirk Snellings (1959–2014,

Bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...

), who is also the group's artistic director, and a musicologist. For each performance, the vocal core is enlarged either with complementary singers, an ''alta capella'' of wind instruments, a ''bassa capella'' of string instruments and/or an organ according to the needs of the genre. Among the singers,

Psallentes Psallentes ("those who sing") is a Gregorian chant ensemble founded in 2000 and based in Leuven, Belgium. Members Psallentes consists of singers Conor Biggs, Lieven Deroo, Pieter Coene, Paul Schils and Philippe Souvagie and is directed by Hendrik V ...

(“the singers”) stand out, a Belgian vocal group specialising in

plainsong Plainsong or plainchant (calque from the French ; ) is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. When referring to the term plainsong, it is those sacred pieces that are composed in Latin text. Plainsong was the exclusive for ...

and directed by Hendrik Vanden Abeele. The members of the wind bands Oltremontano, directed by

sackbut A sackbut is an early form of the trombone used during the Renaissance music, Renaissance and Baroque music, Baroque eras. A sackbut has the characteristic telescopic slide of a trombone, used to vary the length of the tube to change Pitch (m ...

-player Wim Becu, and La Caccia, directed by Patrick Denecker (

recorder Recorder or The Recorder may refer to: Newspapers * ''Indianapolis Recorder'', a weekly newspaper * ''The Recorder'' (Massachusetts newspaper), a daily newspaper published in Greenfield, Massachusetts, US * ''The Recorder'' (Port Pirie), a newsp ...

and

bagpipes Bagpipes are a woodwind instrument using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. The Great Highland bagpipes are well known, but people have played bagpipes for centuries throughout large parts of Europe, N ...

) frequently perform the function of ''alta capella''. Capilla Flamenca has also performed and made recordings with Philadelphia-based Piffaro. The ''bassa capella'' consists of

lute A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck (music), neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted. More specifically, the term "lu ...

-player Jan van Outryve and

viola da gamba The viola da gamba (), or viol, or informally gamba, is a bowed and fretted string instrument that is played (i.e. "on the leg"). It is distinct from the later violin family, violin, or ; and it is any one of the earlier viol family of bow (m ...

-players Liam Fennelly, Thomas Baeté and Piet Stryckers. Joris Verdin is the group's

organ Organ and organs may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a group of tissues organized to serve a common function * Organ system, a collection of organs that function together to carry out specific functions within the body. Musical instruments ...

player.

Repertoire

Franco-Flemish polyphony

Capilla Flamenca specialises in Franco-Flemish polyphony, focusing on the music of around 1500. Recordings and performances of religious and profane works by

Pierre de la Rue Pierre de la Rue ( – 20 November 1518) was a Franco-Flemish composer and singer of the Renaissance. His name also appears as Piersson or variants of Pierchon and his toponymic, when present, as various forms of de Platea, de Robore, or de Vic ...

Josquin des Prez Josquin Lebloitte dit des Prez ( – 27 August 1521) was a composer of High Renaissance music, who is variously described as French or Franco-Flemish. Considered one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance, he was a central figure of the ...

Heinrich Isaac Heinrich Isaac (ca. 1450 – 26 March 1517) was a Netherlandish composer of south Netherlandish origin during the Renaissance era. He wrote masses, motets, songs (in French, German and Italian), and instrumental music. A significant contemporar ...

, Johannes Prioris,

Jacob Obrecht Jacob Obrecht (also Hobrecht; 1457/8

, to name just a few, have been executed since the ensemble's formation in the 1980s. Over the years, the group's interest has expanded to include earlier music, most notably the so-called

Ars Nova ''Ars nova'' ()Fallows, David. (2001). "Ars nova". ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', second edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell. London: Macmillan. refers to a musical style which flourished in the Kingdom of ...

and Ars Subtilior of the 14th century. The group's recordings and performances are characterised by musicological research and by attention to

authentic performance Historically informed performance (also referred to as period performance, authentic performance, or HIP) is an approach to the performance of classical music which aims to be faithful to the approach, manner and style of the musical era in which ...

. Capilla Flamenca's analysis is based on a study of the original sources, in co-operation with fellow musicologists. This includes solving the typical conundrums of early music, such as the use of

musica ficta ''Musica ficta'' (from Latin, "false", "feigned", or "fictitious" music) was a term used in European music theory from the late 12th century to about 1600 to describe pitches, whether notated or added at the time of performance, that lie outside ...

, the problem of text-setting, the correct use of mensural proportions, the decoding of canons and the authentic pronunciation of French, Flemish and

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

Cross-over

Capilla Flamenca has made cross-over productions with artists from other artistic disciplines. Side by side with the dancers of Les Ballets C de la B, the Capilla toured the world with ''Foi'', directed by

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (born 10 March 1976) is a Belgian dancer and choreographer and director. He has made over 50 choreographic pieces and received two Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production, three Ballet Tanz awards for best cho ...

and choreographed by Joanna Dudle

Between 2003 and 2005 the production was performed more than 100 times. In 2005, the ensemble confronted Jacob Obrecht's music with the video artist Walter Verdin's view on the famous ''

The Garden of Earthly Delights ''The Garden of Earthly Delights'' () is the modern title given to a triptych oil painting on oak panels painted by the Early Netherlandish master Hieronymus Bosch, between 1490 and 1510, when Bosch was between 40 and 60 years old. Bos ...

'' by

Hieronymus Bosch Hieronymus Bosch (; ; born Jheronimus van Aken ; – 9 August 1516) was a Dutch people, Dutch painter from Duchy of Brabant, Brabant. He is one of the most notable representatives of the Early Netherlandish painting school. His work, gene ...

. More recently, in collaboration with the contemporary music ensemble Het Collectief, the Capilla Flamenca created ''12X12'', a programme combining Karl-Heinz Stockhausen's ''Tierkreis'' with

polyphon

In 2007, Joanna Dudley joined them again in the theatre and video production ''Who killed Cock Robin?'

Festivals and concert halls

Capilla Flamenca has been a guest at festivals such as the Festival of Arezzo, the Holland Festival of Oude Muziek at Utrech

Ferrara Music

Festival de Sainte

Festival d’Ambrona

and Cuenca Religious music Wee

In 2005, it was ensemble in residence at the Laus Polyphoniae Festival in Antwer

The ensemble has appeared on the stages of concert halls, such as the Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels, Centre for Fine Arts in Brusselsbr>
Concertgebouw Brugg

the Konzerthaus, Vienna, Konzerthaus in Viennabr>
and Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Educational activities

In addition to recording and performing, the Capilla Flamenca has a commitment to education. In order to further the understanding of polyphonic music, Capilla Flamenca's concerts are preceded by an introduction to the programme aimed at the general public. Capilla Flamenca and its members teach at music conservatories. They often teach

master class ''Master Class'' is a 1995 play by American playwright Terrence McNally, presented as a fictional master class by opera singer Maria Callas near the end of her life, in the 1970s. The play features incidental vocal music by Giuseppe Verdi, Giac ...

e

and workshops, both for experienced amateurs and for young professionals. From 2005 to 2007, Marnix De Cat worked with a group of boys and girls (''pueri'') in order to introduce them to polyphony. Like the 15th- and 16th-century choristers, the young singers were instructed by the ''magister puerorum'' (master of the choristers) in the rules of music and the art of singing through simple songs and

. This resulted in a number of concerts and a C

Awards

In 2003, Capilla Flamenca received the ''Premio Il Filarmonico'' at the festival of Arezzo. In 2005, it was awarded the ''Flanders Cultural Award (“Cultuurprijs Vlaanderen”)'' for music.cultuurweb.be

Discography

*1993 - ''Puer nobis. Christmas in the Renaissance.'' Eufoda 1147. *1993 - ''Renaissance. Polyfonie in Brugge. The Songbook of Zeghere van Male.'' Eufoda 1155. *1995 - ''Zingen en spelen in Vlaamse steden en begijnhoven. Music in Flemish, Cities and Beguignages 1400-1500.'' Eufoda 1266. *1996 - ''

. Missa Alleluia. Music at the Burgundy Court. ''Eufoda 1232. *1996 - ''Oh Flanders Free. Music of the Flemish Renaissance: Ockeghem,

Josquin Josquin Lebloitte dit des Prez ( – 27 August 1521) was a composer of High Renaissance music, who is variously described as French or Franco-Flemish. Considered one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance, he was a central figure of the ...

, Susato,

De la Rue De La Rue plc (, ) is a British company headquartered in Basingstoke, England, that produces secure digital and physical protections for goods, trade, and identities in 140 countries. It sells to governments, central banks, and businesses. Its ...

. ''Capilla Flamenca. Alamire LUB 03, Naxos 8.554516. *1996 - ''Sei Willekomen.'' Capilla Flamenca and Flanders Recorder Quartet. Eufoda 1256. *1996 - ''Concentu melodiae.'' K.U.Leuven 96-01. *1998 - ''Bassano: Viva L'Amore.'' Capilla Flamenca and Flanders Recorder Quartet. Opus 111 30-239. *1998 - ''Margarete - Maximilian I. Musik um 1500.'' Capilla Flamenca with La Caccia, Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino Aalst, Schola Gregoriana Lovaniensis. ORF Shop CD 265 (2 CDs). *1999 - ''The A-La-Mi-Re Manuscripts. Flemish Polyphonic Treasures for

Charles V Charles V may refer to: Kings and Emperors * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise Others * Charles V, Duke ...

, Willaert.'' Naxos 8.554744. *1999 - ''I Fiamminghi - V. Brassart: In festo Corporis Christi.'' Ricercar 233362.

*2000 - '' Jean de Castro: Polyphony in a European Perspective.'' Capilla Flamenca with More Maiorum, Piffaro, Trigon-Project, Wim Diepenhorst and Bart Demuyt. Passacaille 931. *2001 - ''Resonanzen 2001. Viva España. Capilla Flamenca and others.'' ORF "Edition Alte Musik" CD 281. *2001 - ''The Flemish Organ Heritage.'' Capilla Flamenca and A. van den Kerckhoven. Naxos 8.555809. *2001 - ''

Arnold de Lantins Arnold de Lantins (fl. 1420s – before 2 July 1432) was a Netherlandish composer of the late medieval and early Renaissance eras. He is one of a few composers who shows aspects of both medieval and Renaissance style, and was a contemporary o ...

: Missa Verbum Incarnatum.'' Capilla Flamenca with

, Oltremontano and Clari Cantuli. Ricercar 207. *2002 - ''

: Missa de septem doloribus. ''Capilla Flamenca and

. Musique en Wallonie 0207

*2002 - ''Musica Reservata. Endangered Sounds.'' Capilla Flamenca and

. Alamire Foundation 2002. *2002 - '' Sebastian de Vivanco, Vivanco: Libro de Motetes (1610).'' Capilla Flamenca and Oltremontano. LCD 9706. *2002 - '' Prioris: Requiem.'' Eufoda 134

*2003 - ''Foi. Ars Nova, Ars nova, oral traditional music and more.'' CAPI 200

*2003 - '' Alexander Utendal and

Philippe de Monte Philippe de Monte (1521 – 4 July 1603), sometimes known as Philippus de Monte, was a Flemish composer of the late Renaissance active all over Europe. He was a member of the 3rd generation madrigalists and wrote more madrigals than any other c ...

: Motets. ''Capilla Flamenca and Oltremontano. Passacaille 937. *2003 - ''Canticum Canticorum. In Praise of Love: The

Song of Songs The Song of Songs (), also called the Canticle of Canticles or the Song of Solomon, is a Biblical poetry, biblical poem, one of the five ("scrolls") in the ('writings'), the last section of the Tanakh. Unlike other books in the Hebrew Bible, i ...

in the Renaissance.'' Eufoda 1359. *2004 - ''Zodiac.

and Ars Subtilior in the Low Countries and Europe.'' Eufoda 1360. *2004 - '' Obrecht: Chansons, Songs, Motets.'' Capilla Flamenca and Piffaro. Eufoda 1361. *2005 - ''Priest and Bon Vivant. Sounds of the City of Louvain from the 16th Century. Works by

Clemens non Papa Jacobus Clemens non Papa (also Jacques Clément or Jacob Clemens non Papa) ( – 1555 or 1556) was a Netherlandish composer of the Renaissance based for most of his life in Flanders. He was a prolific composer in many of the current styles, and w ...

and his contemporaries.'' Capilla Flamenca, La Caccia and Jan van Outryve. Etc. 1287. *2005 - ''Dulcis Melancholia. Biographie musicale de Marguerite d'Autriche.'' MEW 525. *2005 - ''

: Missa Ave Maria, Vespers.'' Capilla Flamenca and

. MEW 0633. *2006 - ''Flemish and Walloon Organ Treasure,'' Volume 4. Capilla Flamenca and Joris Verdin. Vision-Air 2006/1. *2006 - ''Lumina. Christmas Around The 1500s.'' Capilla Flamenca and Pueri. Eufoda 136

*2007 - ''Désir D'aymer. Love Lyrics Around 1500: From Flanders To Italy.'' Capilla Flamenca. Eufoda 1369. *2007 - '' Lambert de Sayve: Sacred Music.'' Capilla Flamenca and Oltremontano. KTC 4022. *2007 - ''Salve Mater Salve Jesu. Chant and Polyphony From Bohemia Around 1500.'' Capilla Flamenca and

Schola Gregoriana Pragensis Schola Gregoriana Pragensis (English: ''The Gregorian School of Prague'') is an ''a cappella'' male voice choir from the Czech Republic, founded in 1987 by David Eben. Their core repertoire consists of Gregorian chant, Bohemian plainchant, and ea ...

, with Barbara Maria Willi. KTC 1346. *2008 - ''Bellum et Pax. Missa L'homme armé / Da pacem.'' Capilla Flamenca and Oltremontano. Eufoda 137

*2008 - ''Rosa (Mia)''. Capilla Flamenca (polyphonic adaptation of 'Mia' by the rock band Gorki (band), Gorki). Lipstick Notes. *2009 - ''En un gardin. Les quatre saisons de l'Ars Nova.'' Manuscrits de Stavelo

Mons, Utrech

Leide

Capilla Flamenca. MEW 0852 *2009 - ''

Roland de Lassus Orlando di Lasso ( various other names; probably – 14 June 1594) was a composer of the late Renaissance. The chief representative of the mature polyphonic style in the Franco-Flemish school, Lassus stands with William Byrd, Giovanni Pierlui ...

. Bonjour mon coeur.'' Capilla Flamenca. RIC 290 / Eufoda 1376 *2010 - ''

Alexander Agricola Alexander Agricola (; born Alexander Ackerman; – 15 August 1506) was a Netherlandish composer of the Renaissance writing in the Franco-Flemish style. A prominent member of the ''Grande chapelle'', the Habsburg musical establishment, he was ...

. Missa In myne zin.'' Capilla Flamenca. RIC 30

*2011 - ''

. Ich muss dich lassen.'' Capilla Flamenca, Oltremontano, Dirk Snellings. RIC 318 *2011 - ''Espris d'amours. Miniatures flamandes.'' Capilla Flamenca, Marnix De Cat. MEW 1157 *2012 - ''

Adrian Willaert Adrian Willaert ( – 7 December 1562) was a Flemish composer of High Renaissance music. Mainly active in Italy, he was the founder of the Venetian School. He was one of the most representative members of the generation of northern composers ...

Vespro della beata vergine''. Capilla Flamenca, Dirk Snelling Ricercar *2012 - ''

Karlheinz Stockhausen Karlheinz Stockhausen (; 22 August 1928 – 5 December 2007) was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He is known for his groun ...

Tierkreis - 12x12 "A Musical Zodiac"'' Capilla Flamenca, Het Collectief KTC Reissues *2011 - ''

. Portrait musical.'' 3CD Capilla Flamenca, Dirk Snellings. MEW 1159 (CD1: Missa de septem doloribus 2001, CD2: Missa Ave Maria, Vespera 2005, CD3: Missa sub tuum praesidium (not previously released) 2011, 4 chansons from MEW0525 2005, Missa Alleluia from Eufoda1232, 1996).

References

Early music consorts Belgian classical music groups Dutch-language musical groups from Belgium Belgian instrumental musical groups Mixed early music groups {{authority control