Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

May 31, 1912 in Margate, England

Death

:

July 16, 1979 in Bologna, Italy

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Alfred Deller was a renowned English countertenor who played a significant role in the revival of early music in the 20th century. He was born on May 31, 1912, in Margate, Kent, England, to a family of musicians. His father was a choirmaster, and his mother was a singer. Deller's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began singing in his father's choir at the age of seven. Deller's formal musical education began at the age of 16 when he joined the choir of Canterbury Cathedral. He received training in voice and music theory from the cathedral's music director, Dr. George Dyson. Deller's voice was unique, and he was encouraged to develop his countertenor range, which is a high-pitched male voice that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In 1936, Deller joined the BBC Singers, where he continued to develop his countertenor voice. He also began to perform as a soloist, and his first major performance was in 1948 when he sang the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This performance was a turning point in Deller's career, and he began to receive invitations to perform at major music festivals and concerts. Deller's performances were characterized by his clear and pure voice, his impeccable diction, and his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music he sang. He was particularly known for his interpretations of English Renaissance music, including works by John Dowland, Henry Purcell, and Thomas Tallis. Deller's performances of these works were groundbreaking, as they were the first time that many of these pieces had been heard in centuries. In 1950, Deller formed the Deller Consort, which was a group of singers and instrumentalists who specialized in early music. The group's performances were highly acclaimed, and they toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States. The Deller Consort's recordings of English Renaissance music are still considered to be some of the best ever made. Deller's contributions to the revival of early music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1964, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to music. He was also awarded the Handel Prize in 1979 and the Queen's Medal for Music in 1985. In 1976, he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music. Deller continued to perform and record until his death in 1979. His legacy lives on through his recordings, which continue to be popular with music lovers around the world. He is remembered as a pioneer in the revival of early music and as one of the greatest countertenors of all time.

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