Country

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United Kingdom

Genre

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Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

The Deller Consort is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in early music, particularly the works of English composer Henry Purcell. The group was founded in 1948 by countertenor Alfred Deller, who was one of the pioneers of the countertenor voice in the 20th century. Alfred Deller was born in 1912 in Margate, England. He began his musical career as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral, where he developed his love for early music. In the 1930s, he began performing as a soloist, specializing in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. He was one of the first male singers to revive the countertenor voice, which had fallen out of favor in the 18th century. In 1948, Deller founded the Deller Consort, which consisted of a small group of singers and instrumentalists who shared his passion for early music. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative interpretations of Renaissance and Baroque music, particularly the works of Henry Purcell. The Deller Consort's first major performance was in 1949, when they performed Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas" at the Wigmore Hall in London. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it established the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of Purcell's music. Over the next few years, the Deller Consort continued to perform and record Purcell's music, as well as works by other composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble's performances were characterized by their clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and they quickly became known for their ability to bring early music to life for modern audiences. In 1953, the Deller Consort made their first international tour, performing in Europe and the United States. The tour was a great success, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of early music in the world. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Deller Consort continued to perform and record, releasing a number of acclaimed albums of early music. They also collaborated with other musicians and ensembles, including the English Chamber Orchestra and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. One of the highlights of the Deller Consort's career was their performance at the 1967 Edinburgh Festival, where they performed Purcell's "The Fairy Queen" to critical acclaim. The performance was later released as a live album, and it remains one of the ensemble's most celebrated recordings. In 1979, Alfred Deller passed away, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest countertenors of the 20th century. However, the Deller Consort continued to perform and record under the direction of his son, Mark Deller. Under Mark Deller's leadership, the ensemble continued to explore the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as other early music genres. They also collaborated with a number of other musicians and ensembles, including the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. In 1994, the Deller Consort was awarded the Gramophone Award for Early Music for their recording of Purcell's "The Fairy Queen." The award was a testament to the ensemble's enduring legacy and their continued commitment to excellence in early music performance. Today, the Deller Consort remains one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the world of early music.

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