Classical BRIT Awards 2009
The Classical BRIT Awards 2009 with NS&I will celebrate it’s 10th Anniversary in style and has added to the already spectacular line up by announcing performances from teenage soprano sensation Faryl Smith, world renowned tenor Pl·cido Domingo and Roman Catholic Fathers, The Priests.
Taking place on Thursday 14 May 2009 at The Royal Albert Hall, the show will also include performances from the world’s biggest selling female classical artist Katherine Jenkins and legendary tenor JosÈ Carreras, who will be awarded the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
This is set to be an extra special night that will unite two of ‘The Three Tenors’ Pl·cido Domingo and JosÈ Carreras and celebrate the stunning triumphs of some of the world’s most successful and distinguished classical performers.
This week she achieved the fastest selling classical debut solo album in history and now 13 year old Faryl Smith from Kettering will make history again as the youngest ever solo artist to perform at The Classical BRIT Awards – the biggest classical awards show in the world.
The Priests will deliver another first as they make their live UK performance debut, ahead of their arena dates in June. With the biggest selling classical album of 2008, The Priests have defied record industry convention by just being themselves; middle-aged Roman Catholic priests who sing. World-class talent wrapped up in an amazing true story spanning a turbulent lifetime of service, faith and music.
Spanish tenor Pl‡cido Domingo is widely regarded as one of the all time great tenors, with a career spanning 50 years and 128 opera roles. In 1990, Domingo came together with friend JosÈ Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti for ‘The Three Tenors’ opening concert of the World Cup in Rome – a beautiful and historic moment.
Returning as host for a second year is musician, broadcaster and TV presenter Myleene Klass.
Nominations for The Classical BRIT Awards 2009 with NS&I will be revealed at the nominations launch on Monday 20 April. The launch will bring together 2 x Classical BRIT Award winner Katherine Jenkins and Faryl Smith for an exclusive and unmissable duet.
Also performing at the nominations launch is London born classical pianist James Rhodes, who released his controversially titled debut album ‘Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos’ last month. In addition, four of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards will bring the beautiful presence of the pipes to The Mayfair Hotel on 20 April.
Over the past 10 years, The Classical BRIT Awards has become synonymous for celebrating notable achievement in classical music, honouring such luminaries as Pl·cido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the late Vernon Handley. Showcasing the best in the genre with performances that have included Rolando Villazon, Danielle De Niese, Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego FlÛrez, Maxim Vengerov, Andrea Bocelli, Lang Lang and Sting, The Classical BRIT Awards has helped pave the way for a broader audience for classical music, each year creating a sales boost for nominees and performers alike.
The Classical BRIT Awards was 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.