When his voice broke, he continued singing in his high register, eventually settling as a countertenor. In Canterbury Cathedral, a tablet in the south quire aisle commemorates Deller and his work. Thu 31 May 2012 05.52 EDT. Then following a concert in Avignon in 1967 where Deller met Bernard Coutaz, founder of Harmonia Mundi France, Deller spent his remaining years with the French label. [1] His style in singing lute song, with extensive use of rubato and extemporised ornamentation, was seen as radical and controversial in his day but is now considered the norm. Deller also sang John Blow and Henry Purcell Odes like “Sound the trumpet” from Come Ye Sons of Art with the other great male alto of the day, John Whitworth (1921-2013), who is favoured by critic Richard Lawrence for his magnificent voice.[8]. He also became better known with a radio broadcast of Henry Purcell's Come ye Sons of Art on the BBC's Third Programme when this station was launched in 1946. It included various baritones (especially Maurice Bevan) and tenors (especially Philip Todd), as well as sopranos April Cantelo, Honor Sheppard and Mary Thomas. Many who heard his earliest LPs will have applauded the words that Sir Michael Tippett uttered on first hearing Deller live, as early as 1944: ‘In that moment, the centuries rolled back’. Life and career. On 16 July 1979, Deller died whilst working in Bologna, Italy after a heart attack. Alfred Deller (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979) was an English singer, one of the main figures in popularising the use of the countertenor voice in renaissance and baroque music. \rFor thy sake I in love am grown \rWith what thy fancy does pursue; \rBut when I think upon my own, \rI hate it for that reason too, \rBecause it needs must hinder me \rFrom seeing and from serving thee. He sang in the choir at St John's from 1923 until 1927 when he was dismissed in expectation that his voice would break. Alfred Deller (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979) was an English singer, one of the main figures in popularising the use of the countertenor voice in renaissance and baroque music. There was also an exhibition of paintings and drawings by John Ward, who illustrated many of the early programmes for the music festival. Lutenist Desmond Dupré performed with him, initially as a guitarist; other accompanists included harpsichordist and musicologist Walter Bergmann. For music-lovers who grew up between the 1950s and the 1970s, Alfred Deller (1912–1979) was the embodiment of the countertenor voice, just as Segovia was the guitar and Casals was the cello. Deller married Kathleen Margaret ('Peggy') Lowe (1913–2006) in 1937. In 1948, Deller formed the Deller Consort,[1] a group dedicated to historically informed performance. He recorded for HMV, Vanguard Classics, and Harmonia Mundi. He is sometimes referred to as the "godfather of the countertenor". Misconceptions about the countertenor voice were common at the time Deller was first gaining significant notice as a singer, which was only a matter of decades after the last castrati had died; Michael Chance tells the story that once, a French woman, upon hearing Deller sing, exclaimed "Monsieur, vous êtes eunuque"—to which Deller replied, "I think you mean 'unique', Madam."[4]. Membership of the Deller Consort changed over the years. microgroove record Texts in English printed on back cover Barcode and Other Identifiers. [2] Deller's voice sounded remarkably high. Thomas Morley - It was a lover and his lass (Shakespeare: As You Like It)2. \rO solitude, O how I solitude adore! Deller was born in Margate, and as a boy sang in his local church choir. \rPlaces devoted to the night, \rRemote from tumult and from noise, \rHow ye my restless thoughts delight! \rO solitude, my sweetest choice! [9] They had three children; the eldest, Mark Deller, became an accomplished singer in his own right and frequently performed with his father, for example on the 1972 album Folksongs. Alfred Deller, pictured here in 1973. Memorial Plaque for Alfred Deller in Canterbury Cathedral Alfred Deller Born at Margate in 1912 was Alfred Deller. Deller was born in Margate, and as a boy sang in his local church choir. Founded by countertenor Alfred Deller in 1948, it was instrumental in popularizing not only early music, but authentic performance practices. Photograph: Alamy. Deller was a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. [2] Deller was initially employed as a lay clerk at Canterbury Cathedral from 1940 to 1947, before joining the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral (1947–62). Deller was born in Margate, and as a boy sang in his local church choir. The 1960 premiere, broadcast by the BBC, is now commercially available and finds Deller in fresher voice; Myfanwy Piper described his singing of Oberon as "unearthly". Another son, Simon, trained as a music teacher during the 1960s and taught at Guildford Cathedral choir school, eventually becoming its headmaster. When his voice broke, he continued singing in his high register, eventually settling as a countertenor. On 31 May 2012, All Saints' Church, Boughton Aluph held a concert to celebrate Deller's 100th birthday. Deller was an influential figure in the renaissance of early music: an early proponent of "original instrument performance" and one of the first to bring this form to the popular consciousness through his broadcasts on the BBC. He is sometimes referred to as the "godfather of the countertenor". From this choral tradition, Deller emerged as a soloist, largely as a result of the admiration of the composer Michael Tippett, who heard him while at Canterbury and recognised the unique beauty of his voice. \rThat element of noblest wit, \rWhere I have learnt Apollo's lore, \rWithout the pains to study it. He is the son of the first modern countertenor, Alfred Deller. [3], Throughout the 19th century, it was only in the tradition of all-male cathedral choirs that the countertenor voice had survived. Playing via Spotify Playing via YouTube. Mark Deller (born 1938) is an English countertenor and conductor. As a boy, he sang in his local church choir. Watch the video for Greensleeves from Alfred Deller's The Art of Alfred Deller: The Counter-Tenor Legacy for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Michael Chance interviewed in a documentary entitled 'Countertenors,' originally shown on, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "Stour Music Festival celebrates Alfred Deller's 100th birthday", Alfred Deller (1912–1979) – A discography (Early Music FAQ), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alfred_Deller&oldid=1010490996, Commanders of the Order of the British Empire, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with Trove identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Peter Giles and J.B. Steane: "Countertenor,", 'Recording' with Alfred Deller; Michael Powell @ www.phoenixlodger.co.uk, This page was last edited on 5 March 2021, at 19:18. Deller and his wife are buried in the churchyard of All Saints' Church, Boughton Aluph, Kent. From 1964, Alfred Deller's son Mark was also a member. Countertenor Vocals – Alfred Deller (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) Lute – Desmond Dupr é (tracks: B1 to B6) Notes. \rO, how agreeable a sight \rThese hanging mountains do appear, \rWhich th' unhappy would invite \rTo finish all their sorrows here, \rWhen their hard fate makes them endure \rSuch woes as only death can cure. The group recorded music from as early as the 13th century and significantly expanded popular notions of the Baroque repertoire, producing high-quality authentic period performances of the works of Bach, Handel, Purcell, Dowland, and even folk songs. Deller was the twentieth century's first celebrity countertenor and just beginning his own career when he founded the ensemble almost… Alfred Deller with a beautiful rendition of John Dowland's 'Flow my Tears'. Alfred George Deller, CBE (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979), was an English singer and one of the main figures in popularising the return of the countertenor voice in Renaissance and Baroque music during the 20th century. [3] He did record the opera, with the composer conducting in 1967. His recordings include the lute songs of Dowland, operas by Handel, Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, songs and semioperas by Purcell (such as The Fairy Queen), traditional English folk songs, works by Thomas Tallis, and the Bach alto repertoire. It did not and he returned to sing in the church until 1929. when he left the area. The smallness of his voice was also a negative factor in the casting process at Covent Garden. In later years, he worked with lutenist Robert Spencer and harpsichordists Harold Lester and William Christie. 628: Act III, "What Power art thou, who from below... " ("Cold Song") 1. \r\rKatherine Fowler Philips (née le 1er janvier 1631, décédée le 22 juin 1664), dite l'incomparable Orinde (\"the matchless Orinda\") est une poétesse anglo-galloise, connue notamment en raison de la reprise de son poème \"O solitude\" par Henry Purcell Monaural release only Grooved yellow labels 'Halfmoon' flipback sleeve (On labels and back sleeve:) Made in England (On front and back sleeve:) Long playing 33 1/3 r.p.m. A Celebration of Christmas: Carols Through the Ages features Alfred Deller and Consort Deller performing a seemingly endless variety of timeless carols. When his voice broke, he continued singing in his high register, eventually settling as a countertenor. Alfred Deller (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979) was an English singer, one of the main figures in popularising the use of the countertenor voice in renaissance and baroque music. He concentrated on popularising and recording the music of English Baroque and Renaissance music by composers such as John Dowland and Purcell. [10] His first were for HMV - His Master's Voice Recordings 1949-1954. Deller made at least 136 recordings from 1949 to his death in 1979. [5] In 1972, the Deller Consort performed for the Peabody Mason Concert series in Boston. \rO heav'ns! Alfred Deller - I attempt from loves sickness - Henry Purcell (music for a while) Alfred Deller Anonymous "Have you seen but the white lily grow" Desmond Dupre, lute and guitar Paris, 26 December 1972 Youtube Poster Donne Preistoria Canzoni Henry Purcell -- 'Tis women makes us love -- Deller … This album is lengthy, spanning the distance of four discs. Mark Deller and his parents moved to Canterbury just before his first birthday. [1] Britten wrote this role with Deller specifically in mind, although he was dropped from staged revivals of the work against the composer's wishes, largely because of poor acting technique. Places devoted to the night, Remote from tumult and from noise, How ye my restless thoughts delight! Toby Deller. - O mistress mine (Shakespeare: Twelfth Night) - from 3:093. In many ways, it set the standard for the plethora of ensembles that started after it had prepared the ground. O Solitude \rO solitude, my sweetest choice! When his voice broke, he continued singing in his high register, eventually settling as a countertenor. Deller was born in Margate, a seaside resort in Kent. Deller was born in Margate, and as a boy sang in his local church choir. In 1960, Deller sang the role of Oberon in the first production of Benjamin Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream. \rO, how I solitude adore! Featured performances include "Pat-A-Pan," "We Three Kings of Orient Are," "I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing," and "Coventry Carol," in addition to 75 others. Anon. [6], As well as directing the Consort, Deller also conducted some performances with chamber orchestras, although his technical ability as a conductor attracted some adverse comment.[7]. Deller was born in Margate, and as a boy sang in his local church choir. Alfred Deller (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979) was an English singer, one of the main figures in popularising the use of the countertenor voice in renaissance and baroque music. Tippett introduced him to the public as a countertenor, rather than a male alto. When his voice broke, he continued singing in his high register, eventually settling as a countertenor. Alfred George Deller, CBE (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979), was an English singer and one of the main figures in popularising the return of the countertenor voice in Renaissance and Baroque music during the 20th century. what content is mine \rTo see these trees, which have appear'd \rFrom the nativity of time, \rAnd which all ages have rever'd, \rTo look today as fresh and green \rAs when their beauties first were seen. Alfred Deller (31 May 1912 – 16 July 1979) was an English singer, one of the main figures in popularising the use of the countertenor voice in renaissance and baroque music. Then followed 13 years with Vanguard Records 1954-1967, under the labels The Bach Guild in Europe and Amadeo in the US. Countertenors Alfred Deller and his son, Mark Deller, sing 3 pieces by Heinrich Schütz.1. [1] After the concert, the countertenor James Bowman planted a tree in memory of Deller in the churchyard where he is buried. King Arthur, Z. He also founded the Stour Music Festival in 1962,[1] one of the first and most important early music festivals in the world. Alfred Deller (photo: Tully Potter Collection) Register now to continue reading Thank you for visiting Gramophone and making use of our archive of more than 50,000 expert reviews, features, awards and blog articles. O Solitude O solitude, my sweetest choice!