T he vocal and instrumental consort Capilla Flamenca takes its name from the choir of the court chapel of Emperor Charles V. When Charles left the Low Countries in 1517, he took his best musicians with him in order to accompany him as 'living polyphony' to Spain.
 
Today's Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialized musicians mainly from Flanders so as to bring to life again the unique timbre of this brilliant 15th - 16th music in its full authenticity. According to the needs of the programme or genre, today's vocal core of the ensemble (counter tenor - tenor - baritone - bass) is enlarged with an alta capella (wind instruments), a bassa capella (string instruments), an organ or with complementary singers.
 
The transparent polyphonic sound-image of the Capilla Flamenca originates from a creative interaction between the musicians. This process demands an acute awareness of the historical, poetical and technical aspects of polyphonic music. From this polyphonic repertoire Dirk Snellings makes up in cooperation with prominent musicologists some unique and multi-dimensional programmes. The integration of different artistic disciplines creates programmes with an added value on today's cultural scene.
 
The Capilla Flamenca has been honoured with some of the most prestigious international awards for their artistic, musicological and historical thoroughness (Premio Internazionale Il Filharmonico, Cultuurprijs Vlaanderen 2005, Big Prize Hertog van Arenberg 2006). Numerous cd recordings have received major awards, including several Prix Chocs (Le Monde de la Musique), Diapason d'Ors, Répertoire10, two Caecilia prizes from the Belgian music press, the Klara Music Prize 2004.