Thursday, April 7, 2011
ClassicalX.com
Classic Brit Awards 2011 Nominations

Celebrate the best of British and International talent

The UK's recorded music association, The BPI, today announced the nominations for the twelfth annual Classic BRIT Awards.

Taking place on 12 May at the Royal Albert Hall, the Classic BRIT Awards 2011 will be hosted by Myleene Klass, her first official engagement following the birth of her second child. It will be a spectacular night of magical performances and a celebration of the winners of the six award categories as well as the Artist of the Decade award that will be presented to the incomparable Il Divo.

Continuing the theme of backing British talent, two-time Classic BRIT award winner, trumpeter Alison Balsom, has been confirmed to perform on the night. Bringing the international flavour to the event will be one of the greatest violin virtuosos of our time, Germany's Anne-Sophie Mutter as well as American Eric Whitacre and The Eric Whitacre Singers who will perform 'Sleep', taken from the album 'Light & Gold' and which was recently performed by a global 2000 strong interactive choir. They join a line-up that features a performance from the cast of Les Misérables with Blackpool born, Alfie Boe in the role as Jean Valjean, Salford's finest Russell Watson, Wales' most famous mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and Il Divo, making their Classic BRIT Award debut and world-premiering a new song. The London Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green will accompany all performers.

For the first time in Classic BRIT Awards history, three British artists, Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti and Dame Mitsuko Uchida will compete for the title of Female Artist of the Year in association with PPL. Another first for the category is that none of the2011 nominees are opera singers - celebrating instead three incredible virtuoso musicians. Previous Classic BRIT Award winner (Young British Classical Performer 2006 and Female Artist of the Year 2009) trumpeter Alison Balsom is nominated for her album 'Italian Concertos' alongside another former winner of Young British Classical Performer in 2008, violinist Nicola Benedetti for 'Tchaikovsky/Bruch Violin Concertos'. Pianist Dame Mitsuko Uchida joins the category for 'Schumann/Fantasie'. Mitsuko Uchida is a Japanese naturalised British citizen.

Male Artist of the Year is distinguished by not only containing two double nominees; British conductor and pianist Antonio Pappano (also nominated for the Critics' Award) and Mexican-born tenor Rolando Villazón (second nomination for Classic FM Album of the Year), but also the first-ever posthumous Classic BRIT nomination which goes to Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras who died on 14 July 2010 a year after collecting his debut Classic BRIT award for the Critics' Award in 2009.

Composer of the Year is the final category nominated by the official Classic BRITs voting academy. Receiving his first Classic BRIT nomination is American Eric Whitacre for his US and UK number 1 album 'Light & Gold'. Welshman Karl Jenkins receives his fourth Classic BRIT nomination for 'Gloria / Te Deum' and completing the category is Classic BRIT award winner, Estonian Arvo Pärtfor 'Symphony No.4'.

Voted for by a panel of judges, the Newcomer Award in association with MasterCard celebrates the newest talent in the classical world. These young performers, all in their twenties and hailing from Europe are German pianist Alice Sara Ott, Montenegrin classical guitarist Milos and Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang.

The Critics' Award is chosen by a panel of critics from the national media and recognises special achievements or performances over the past twelve months. The 2011 nominees are Antonio Pappano, who receives his second nomination for 'Rossini: Stabat Mater', German tenor Jonas Kaufmann with 'Verismo Arias' and British violinist Tasmin Little for the album 'Elgar: Violin Concerto'.

The most sought after award of the night is the coveted Classic FM Album of the Year. Voted by the British public via www.classicbrits.co.uk, the Classic FM Album of the Year, is compiled from the 10 biggest selling classical albums of 2010. The ten nominated artists for 2011 include a debut Classic BRIT nomination for Choirgirl Isabel with her album The Choirgirl Isabel as well as her mentor and manager Aled Jones for the album Aled's Christmas Gift. Other nominees include another debut nomination for one of the world's most successful artists Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra for Moonlight Serenade, Benedictine Nuns of Notre-Dame with Voices - Chant From Avignon, Bryn Terfel's Carols & Christmas Songs, Reach for the Skies by Central Band of the RAF, Craig Ogden with The Guitarist, The Priests and Noel and the second nomination of the night for Rolando Villazón with his album Tenor. Celebrating 10 years in the business the four-time BRIT Award winner, Russell Watson is nominated following his triumphant return with the album La Voce.

The previously announced Artist of the Decade Award in association with Raymond Weil will recognise the massive impact that Il Divo have made worldwide on the ever-changing public face of classical music.

Established in 2000 to honour and recognise all forms of classical music from contemporary to crossover, opera to soundtracks, traditional to theatre, the Classic BRIT Awards 2011 will celebrate British successes both nationally and internationally. Forming a two-hour musical spectacular, this gala night will feature some of the greatest British talent and music, plus global stars on the same stage for one magnificent night.

Tickets are on sale now and are available from the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212.

The Classic BRIT awards 2011 will be broadcast on ITV1 in May.