The founder and creator of Cappella Gedanensis is prof.dr Alina Kowalska-Pinczak, pedagogue, vocalist and former dean of Composition and Theory of Music Faculty at The Academy of Music in Gdansk. She has been awarded many prizes and honours, among other: by the Minister of Culture and Arts, by the President of Gdansk, she received Pomeranian Arts Award for career achievement (2000), Medal of National Education (2002), Person of Merit in Culture – Gloria Artis (2007). She also received titles of Radio Personality of the Year (2005) and Woman of Success (2008) by the readers poll of Twoj Wieczor weekly. She is the author of numerous academic publications concerning ear training, special pedagogy and vocalism. The Ensemble of Early Music Cappella Gedanensis was given a status of cultural institution in 1992. The institution was appointed by the Gdansk City Council after eleven years of group’s artistic activity.

The beginnings of the group date back to 1981. Cappella Gedanensis, corresponding to the rich musical heritage of ancient Gdansk, continue the tradition of Town Councillors Cappella which was established in 16th century. Gedanensis perform researched and published masterpieces of Gdansk music.

Group’s repertoire encompasses works of Gdansk composers such as: F. de Rivulo, P. Siefert, C. Fórster, C. Bűthner, Ch. Werner, N. Zangius, J.V. Meder, T.A. Volckmar, M.D. Freislich, J.B.Ch. Freislich and also J.Th. Roemhildt. Beside Gdansk heritage the group also perform great works of oratorio and cantata by G.F. Händel, J.S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, G.B. Pergolesi, W.A.Mozart, F. Schubert, J. Haydn. Part of this extensive artistic output was published on records – LPs and CDs (28CD in total).

Two of the group’s records gained status of a platinum disc – A.Vivaldi, The Four Seasons (2000) and Carols – The New Year at The Holy Father’s (2002). The record of L.Boccherini’s Stabat Mater featuring A.Tomaszewska was nominated for Fryderyk Award in 2008.

Cappella have been performing nearly all over the world – in USA, China, Israel and most of European countries. They took part in numerous international festivals, among other: WDR Radio Festival in Herne and Schwabisch Gmünd (Spalt, Germany), Sacred Music Festival in Abu Gosh (Israel), Wratislavia Cantans Festival, Early Music Festival (Brussels), Baroque Music Festival (Germany, Lithuania, Poland), Royal Music Festival (Stockholm), Choral Music Festival (Bremen).

The group performed also before the Holy Father John Paul II and they took part in significant historic events in presence of presidents and monarchs of Europe. The scope of Cappella’s activities is quite broad, among other things – school hearings and promotion of young musicians. They also collaborate with eminent artists such as: Gail Gilmore, Mirel Iancovici, Wanda Wilkomirska, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Roman Jabłonski, Takashi Yamamoto (winner of the 3rd prize of the International F.Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw 2005), Vadim Brodski, Konstanty Wilenski, Bozena Harasimowicz, Lukasz Dlugosz (winner of the ARD Competition in Munich), Anatoli Kogan.

Cappella realized collaborative projects with Reinhard Goebel (Musica Antiqua Köln), Berlin Philharmonic Quintet, Sigiswald Kuijken Trio and Capilla Flamenca Group. Gedanensis occasionally perform under outstanding conductors such as: Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Tadeusz Wicherek, Michal Dworzynski, Kai Bumann and Wolfgang Helbich. In 2004 Cappella Gedanensis along with Gdansk City Council initiated a cycle of concerts called Music in the new Town Hall. Promotion of young talent. Young artists, scholarship holders and winners of President of Gdansk Awards have the chance to perform there. Recordings of young artists and their teachers’ achievements are published on records as part of Golden Collection of Gdansk Talent project.

Presentation of the youngest generation of artists who are successful in national and international competitions, introduces the cultural achievements of Gdansk and her citizens to the public. Beside Gdansk music or Polish and European baroque, there appear new pieces in Cappella’s repertoire, aiming to satisfy the expectations and needs of the audience.

Diverse performing style indicates the direction of development of Cappella who, apart from specialization in baroque music, continue the tradition, through expanding the repertoire with the works of contemporary composers living in Gdansk (or who are artistically inspired by the city). Collaborations with eminent artists is a source of new and rich experiences which are in turn evidently influential for creating significant works of culture.

Beside concerts and recordings, the group also realized poetry & music shows such as: Cantata for the birthday of King August III together with Wojciech Misiuro’s Theatre of Expression, and Catharsis, Solidarity with the history and tradition, Signs of Time - all three directed by Wieslaw Janasz.

The Ensemble received many awards and honourable mentions, among other: Silver Medal of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage – For Merit in Culture - Gloria Artis, St.Wojciech’s Medal of Gdansk City Council, St.Albert’s Award, title of Reliable Enterprise. Cappella Gedanensis is a winner of Gazeta Wyborcza Trojmiasto newspaper’s readers poll for Storm of the Year, in category of classical music.