Vocalist. One of the most influential figures in the revival of the countertenor voice, in contemporary as well as Baroque and Renaissance repertoire. As a boy he was a church chorister, and continued singing in his high register when his voice broke. He sang in the choirs of both Canterbury and St Paul's Cathedrals, and began his solo career with the encouragement of composer Michael Tippett. He specialised in English music of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly that of Henry Purcell and John Dowland. In 1948 Deller founded the Deller Consort, a group of singers who were among the pioneers of historically informed vocal performance. He also worked with notable musicians such as lutenist Desmond Dupré, and musicologist-harpsichordists Walter Bergmann and William Christie. Benjamin Britten wrote the rôle of Oberon in his opera A Midsummer Night's Dream for him, and Deller recorded it in 1966 with the composer conducting. He founded the Stour Music Festival in Kent in 1963. He continued to be musically active until his death on holiday in Italy, at the age of 67. Alfred Deller is the subject of two biographical studies and discographies: "Alfred Deller: A Singularity of Voice" by John and Mollie Hardwick (Rev. ed. London, Proteus, 1980); and "Alfred Deller: le contre-ténor" by Jean-Luc Tingaud (Paris, Editions J. Lyon, 1996).
Vocalist. One of the most influential figures in the revival of the countertenor voice, in contemporary as well as Baroque and Renaissance repertoire. As a boy he was a church chorister, and continued singing in his high register when his voice broke. He sang in the choirs of both Canterbury and St Paul's Cathedrals, and began his solo career with the encouragement of composer Michael Tippett. He specialised in English music of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly that of Henry Purcell and John Dowland. In 1948 Deller founded the Deller Consort, a group of singers who were among the pioneers of historically informed vocal performance. He also worked with notable musicians such as lutenist Desmond Dupré, and musicologist-harpsichordists Walter Bergmann and William Christie. Benjamin Britten wrote the rôle of Oberon in his opera A Midsummer Night's Dream for him, and Deller recorded it in 1966 with the composer conducting. He founded the Stour Music Festival in Kent in 1963. He continued to be musically active until his death on holiday in Italy, at the age of 67. Alfred Deller is the subject of two biographical studies and discographies: "Alfred Deller: A Singularity of Voice" by John and Mollie Hardwick (Rev. ed. London, Proteus, 1980); and "Alfred Deller: le contre-ténor" by Jean-Luc Tingaud (Paris, Editions J. Lyon, 1996).
Bio by: Sheilia W.
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