Product Details

• Actors: Alfred Deller
• Directors: Benoit Jacquot
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, Import, NTSC
• Language: English (Mono)
• Subtitles: French
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Harmonia Mundi
• DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009
• Run Time: 65 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00217A8PM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,429 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This is a sealed set brand new. counter tenor Alfred Deller displays his talent

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Deller Deserves Better, August 8, 2009

By 

Michael Schulman "conspirito" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice (DVD)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars portrait of a genius, November 8, 2010

By 

Raymond B. Brown "sincerebooks" (l a, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice (DVD)

Just a quick review to say that seeing Deller discuss counter-tenors and his voice is new to me and therefore very interesting for me. I knew he was an essential figure in the development of contemporay counter-tenors and the early music movement, but I didn't know how courageous, intelligent and modest he was. He gives a clear idea of how he thought and acted to develop his new ideas, physical and mental. Then he demonstrates his ability and judgment.
The documentary may be regrettably short but I don't know of any others about him, and the CD is a beautiful demonstration of his talent.