The name of the group refers to its Andalusian origins but also to its intention to tackle vocal programmes of historic music with special attention paid to the Spanish repertoire. Its members are united by a line of work and shared training for almost a decade under the artistic direction of Lluís Vilamajó, Lambert Climent AND Carlos Mena in the Baroque Choir of Andalusia. With this starting point, they have embarked on independent professional careers in leading early music groups on the Spanish and foreign scene (Capella Reial de Catalunya, Collegium Vocale Gent, Grande Chapelle, Al Ayre Español, Musica Ficta, Los Músicos de Su Alteza, Nova Lux Ensemble, Choeur de Chambre de Namur, Forma Antiqva, Ghislieri Consort, Vox Luminis o Capella de Ministrers), coinciding on many projects.
2013 saw the release of the album Espacios sonoros en la Catedral de Jaén (Sound Spaces in the Cathedral of Jaén). Juan Manuel de la Puente (1692-1753) with the Baroque Orchestra of Seville conducted by Enrico Onofri and Lluís Vilamajó and with the participation of a group of singers which was the origin of the vocal group Vandalia. Since then, the group has been invited to perform concerts within and outside of Spain. 2016 saw the launch of the recording devoted to the Canciones a 3 y 4 voces by Juan Vásquez, a Golden Age composer from the Andalusian school. This same programme was premiered in concert by Vandalia at the Early Music Festival of Seville to extraordinary acclaim from the public and critics. In May 2018, Hirviendo el mar was recorded for the label IBS Classical, produced in collaboration with Ars Atlántica (Manuel Vilas), a monographic recording with unreleased polyphonic human tones from the Spanish baroque for a vocal quartet and harp. As a result of this satisfactory experience, both groups embarked on the ambitious record to record the double CD devoted to the Cancionero de la Sablonara, thanks to the support of the prestigious Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators from the BBVA Foundation obtained by Rocío de Frutos in 2018. This project received the 2020 Award for Best Research from the Association of Spanish Early Music Groups (GEMA). In their last CD Monteverdi-Gesualdo (2021), Vandalia has opened up a new line of work with the recording of Italian madrigals by Monteverdi and Gesualdo for five voices and was named an “Exceptional CD” by the magazine Scherzo. On the other hand, the label Lindoro will launch Vandalia’s recording of all the human tones with texts attributed to Góngora, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the group’s trajectory.
Vandalia was awarded the GEMA Press Award for the best Spanish early music group, highlighting their ongoing work for the revival of musical heritage.