A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kapelle
KAPELLE, a musical establishment, usually orchestral. The word was formerly applied to the private band of a prince or other magnifico, but is now used to denote any band. Thus at Berlin, the Kaiserliche königliche Kapelle (97 musicians, called Kammermusiker) forms the regular orchestra of the Grand Opera, with two Kapellmeisters (Conductors), a Concertmeister (Leader or 1st Violin), and a Balletdirigent (Balletmaster). The orchestra of the Crystal Palace would in Germany be called the Kapelle, and Mr. Manns the Kapellmeister.
The smallest Kapelle existing is probably that of the Duke of Sigmaringen, which consists of a pianoforte player and a sextet of strings.[ G. ]