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Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice
Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice
Actor: Alfred Deller
Director: Benoit Jacquot
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
G     2009     1hr 5min

English counter-tenor Alfred Deller was almost single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of music for counter-tenor in the 20th century. Hw was also a pioneer in popularizing the practice of authentic early music per...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actor: Alfred Deller
Director: Benoit Jacquot
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Classical
Studio: Harmonia Mundi
Format: DVD - Color
DVD Release Date: 06/09/2009
Original Release Date: 01/01/2009
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2009
Release Year: 2009
Run Time: 1hr 5min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
Edition: Classical,Import
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: French

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Movie Reviews

Deller Deserves Better
Michael Schulman | Toronto, Canada | 08/08/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD/CD package really doesn't do justice to the man who, back in the '40s & '50s, was responsible for re-establishing the artistic legitimacy of countertenorism after centuries of neglect. I was fortunate to hear, in person, Deller while he was in his prime, & still treasure - & play! - my now-antique LPs of Deller in his favorite repertoire of Purcell, Dowland & Elizabethan songs.

So I was disappointed when I bought & screened the DVD, a made-for-TV documentary from the mid-'70s, consisting mostly of an interview in which Deller explains & defends countertenorism. The interview is of historical rather than musical interest, now that countertenors like David Daniels, Graham Pushee, Daniel Taylor & so many others are, thanks mainly to Deller, no longer "curiosities" but taken for granted as integral features of today's musical scene.

The DVD also includes 5 English songs & scenes of Deller rehearsing madrigals with his Deller Consort. The singing on the DVD, as well as on the CD included with it, presents Deller late in his career, still a consummate artist though his voice, understandably, isn't as fresh-sounding as it once was.

At best, this set offers a historically significant memento of a major musical pioneer, but not representative of this great musician at his best."