Deller, Alfred (George)

views updated

Deller, Alfred (George) (b Margate, 1912; d Bologna, 1979). Eng. countertenor. Lay clerk Canterbury Cath. 1940–7. Was heard in 1943 by Tippett, who invited him to sing at a Morley Coll. concert. Sang Purcell's Come, ye Sons of art, away on opening night of BBC Third Programme, Sept. 1946. Full-time career from 1947. Formed Deller Consort 1950 for authentic perf. of baroque mus. (début Salzburg Fest. 1972). Deller's artistry almost solely responsible for revival of counterten. v. and its use in Purcell, Handel, Monteverdi, etc. Created role of Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1960. OBE 1970. Son Mark Deller (b St. Leonards, 1938) is also counterten.

More From encyclopedia.com