Countertenors poster
FilmDocumentary

Countertenors (1999)

1999-12-19 · 53m · EN
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An LWT South Bank Show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, exploring the phenomenon of countertenor singing. With its unique, soaring beauty, the high male voice is today enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. Heirs to the celebrated castrati of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, today's countertenors produce their voices by wholly natural means. In this programme international stars Michael Chance, Andreas Scholl and James Bowman, as well as popstar Jimmy Somerville, shed light on the appeal of the male falsetto. Meanwhile, experts such as Michael White place today's countertenors in their historical context. What emerges is a compelling portrayal of an unmistakable vocal style, rooted in church and operatic tradition, yet completely up-to-date, resonating louder today than at any time in the last two hundred years.

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David ThomasDirector

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Melvyn BraggMelvyn BraggPresenterJames BowmanJames BowmanHimselfMichael ChanceMichael ChanceHimselfAndreas SchollAndreas SchollHimselfJimmy SomervilleJimmy SomervilleHimself

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDocumentaryPacingShortDirector preference805427Actor preference121421 · 528911 · 878560Country preferenceGbDecade preference1990

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Frequently asked questions about Countertenors

What is Countertenors about?

An LWT South Bank Show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, exploring the phenomenon of countertenor singing. With its unique, soaring beauty, the high male voice is today enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. Heirs to the celebrated castrati of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, today's countertenors produce their voices by wholly natural means. In this programme international stars Michael Chance, Andreas Scholl and James Bowman, as well as popstar Jimmy Somerville, shed light on the appeal of the male falsetto. Meanwhile, experts such as Michael White place today's countertenors in their historical context. What emerges is a compelling portrayal of an unmistakable vocal style, rooted in church and operatic tradition, yet completely up-to-date, resonating louder today than at any time in the last two hundred years.

How long is Countertenors?

Countertenors has a runtime of 53 minutes.