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Alfred George DellerBritish countertenor singer
Date of Birth: 31.05.1912
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Alfred Deller: Pioneer of Countertenor Revival
- From Choir Member to Respected Soloist
- A Voice of Renaissance and Baroque
- The Deller Consort: Expanding the Baroque Repertoire
- A Family of Musicians
- Collaborations with Benjamin Britten
- Legacy and Influence
Alfred Deller: Pioneer of Countertenor Revival
Early Life and Musical BeginningsAlfred Deller was born on May 31, 1912, in Margate, Kent, England. He sang in the local church choir as a child. Upon his voice breaking, he continued to sing in the higher register, and his voice was eventually classified and trained as a countertenor.
From Choir Member to Respected Soloist
Although baroque composers often wrote for high male voices, countertenors survived primarily in church choirs during the 19th century. Deller sang in choirs, including Canterbury Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral, from 1940 to 1947 and 1947 to 1962, respectively.
Deller's transition from chorister to soloist was largely influenced by composer and conductor Michael Tippett, who recognized the beauty of his voice. Tippett introduced him to the public as a countertenor rather than a male alto. The popularity of BBC Radio 3, which aired Henry Purcell's "Come ye sons of Art, away" in 1967, contributed to Deller's growing fame.
A Voice of Renaissance and Baroque
Deller specialized in promoting and recording English baroque and Renaissance music, particularly composers such as John Dowland and Purcell. His remarkably high voice brought a fresh sound to countertenor, a vocal range largely forgotten by the public in the early 20th century.
The Deller Consort: Expanding the Baroque Repertoire
In 1948, Deller founded the Deller Consort, an ensemble specializing in historically informed performances. The consort expanded the popular conception of baroque music repertoire, performing historically accurate concerts featuring works by Bach, Handel, Purcell, Dowland, and traditional English folk songs.
A Family of Musicians
Over time, the Deller Consort consisted of various bass-baritones, tenors, soprano soloists April Cantelo and Mary Thomas, and, from 1964, Deller's son Mark, also a renowned countertenor. Another son, Simon Deller, became a music educator.
Collaborations with Benjamin Britten
In 1960, Deller sang the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Britten had written the part specifically for Deller. Deller also participated in a recording of the opera conducted by the composer, alongside other performers such as Desmond Dupré, Walter Bergmann, Robert Spencer, Harold Lester, and William Christie.
Legacy and Influence
On July 16, 1979, Alfred Deller passed away unexpectedly at the age of 67 while on tour in Bologna, Italy. He left a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the countertenor revival, inspiring generations of singers to explore this unique and beautiful vocal range.
