Classical BRIT Awards 2010 Nominations Acknowledge Core, Contemporary and Crossover Artists

Second Decade of Classical BRIT Awards Celebrated with Three Double Nominations for British Artists

London, Monday 12 April 2010: The UK’s recorded music association, The BPI, today announced the nominations for the eleventh annual Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I. The May Fair Hotel played host to the nominations launch and celebrated what has already become a commercially successful year for classical music. The gathering of nominees and a specially invited audience were given just a taste of what is to come with magnificent performances from the Coldstream Guards, British violinist Jack Liebeck, French quartet Quatuor Ebène and the evening’s host and queen of the night, Danielle De Niese took to the stage with a unique performance of the aria ‘Da Tempeste’ from the Italian opera Giulio Cesare.

The Classical BRIT Awards 2010 with NS&I takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 13 May where the winners of the seven award categories will be announced and one of the most loved sopranos of the past century, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will close the show as she is honoured with the Lifetime Achievement in Music award.

The success of classical music in 2010 will be marked at the main show on 13 May as Dutch violinist André Rieu will make his debut live UK appearance. His performances of Strauss Waltzes have earned him the title of the fifth biggest selling artist (of any genre) in the UK this year and made a significant contribution to a staggering 43% increase in sales,in the first quarter of 2010, of classical music year-on-year.

In true Classical BRITs style, the 2010 nominations reflect not only the talent and precision of core classical artists, but also recognise the impact and popularity of contemporary composers and crossover performers. Leading the nominations with two apiece are Britain’s Got Talent star and holder of the fastest-selling solo classical album in British chart history, Faryl Smith, conductor Antonio Pappano and composer Howard Goodall.

Faryl Smith, who becomes the youngest artist to receive two Classical BRIT nominations in the same year, released her debut album ‘Faryl’ in March 2009 when she was still only 13 years old. Now aged 14 Faryl Smith receives nominations for NS&I Album of the Year with debut ‘Faryl’, as well as Young British Classical Performer or Group alongside British violinist Jack Liebeck and early music British vocal ensemble Stile Antico.

British conductor and pianist Antonio Pappano receives two nominations for his work as conductor of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia Orchestra and Chorus on two different albums: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Verdi’s Messa da Requiem. As Male Artist of The Year nominee, he joins four time Classical BRIT winner Bryn Terfel and ‘honorary scouser’ and Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko. Antonio Pappano’s second nomination is the Critics’ Award, an award he won previously in 2006. Chosen by a panel of critics from the national media, Antonio Pappano is recognised jointly for Verdi: Messa da Requiem which also features Rolando Villazon, Anja Harteros, Sonia Ganassi, Rene Pape and Roma Orchestra dell’ Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. The critics also singled out Isabelle Faust & Alexander Melnikov for Beethoven Senatas and Scottish pianist Steven Osborne with Rachmaninoff Preludes.

Following his Classical BRIT win for Composer of the Year last year, Howard Goodall receives two nominations in 2010 for his Enchanted Voices album. With one of the ten biggest selling albums of the past year he is nominated for the NS&I Album of the Year, and once again returns in the Composer Of The Year category. Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi’s Nightbook and British composer, pianist and conductor Thomas Ades’ The Tempest complete the Composer of the Year category.

Featuringthree previous winners of Female Artist of the Year, the 2010 Female Artist of the Year will be one of the most hotly contested categories on the night. Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu (winner 2001), Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (winner 2007 and 2008) and American conductor and violinist Marin Alsop (winner 2005) all receive nominations for Female Artist of the Year.

Three big blockbuster movies will battle it out for Soundtrack of the Year. Star Trek by Michael Giacchino, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by Alexandre Desplat and Thomas Newman’s Revolutionary Road complete the nominations.

As previously announced, the NS&I Album of the Year which is compiled from the 10 biggest selling classical albums of 2009 will be voted for by listeners of Classic FM and readers of Classic FM Magazine. Visitors to www.classicfm.com will be able to vote for one of the 10 nominated artists including Music From The Vatican - Alma Mater ft the voice of Pope Benedict XVI, Together – Blake, Camilla Kerslake – Camilla Kerslake, Heroes – Coldstream Guards Band, Faryl – Faryl Smith, Voices of the Valley – Memory Lane – Fron Male Voice Choir, Enchanted Voices – Howard Goodall’s Enchanted Voices, Band of Brothers – Only Men Aloud, O Fortuna – Rhydian and Harmony – The Priests.

The Classical BRIT Awards will be hosted for the third year running by Myleene Klass and takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 13 May.

Co Chairmen of the Classical BRIT Awards Committee, Decca General Manager, Mark Wilkinson and Avie Records Director Barry McCann commented, "As the Classical BRIT Awards enters its second decade, it is pleasing to see the penetration of classical music in the home is greater than ever. We are proud that the 11th show continues to reward excellence, to support both developing and established artists and to excite audiences with unique performances and collaborations."

The Classical BRIT Awards were established in 2000 to recognise the outstanding achievements of classical musicians and the growth of classical music sales in the UK. The awards have proved their vital importance to the UK music industry with the huge impact the event has on record sales of those artists performing, winning and nominated.

More tickets for the event have been made available and are on sale now from the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212. Ticket prices remain the same as for the past six years and range from the most reasonable show only ticket at £20 to £250 for a full dinner/show experience.

The Classical BRIT Awards 2010 with NS&I will broadcast on ITV1, Tuesday 18 May, 10:35pm.