The BPI today announced the nominations for the ninth annual Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I. The launch, hosted by Myleene Klass and held at the MayFair Hotel, London, saw Jonathan Ansell, Blake and Lawrence Power perform to an invited audience of nominees and main show performers. The winners of the seven categories will be announced at The Classical BRIT Awards 2008 with NS&I on the 8 May at the Royal Albert Hall.
‘The BPI also revealed that the 2007 biggest selling artist in the U.S., Josh Groban and last year’s Classical BRIT Award winner of ‘Singer Of The Year’ and 2008 nominee Anna Netrebko will perform at the Classical BRIT Awards 2008 with NS&I. Multi-million selling pianist, songwriter and vocalist Josh Groban makes his Classical BRIT Awards debut. With a career that has seen him perform with Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli and at Live 8 Philadelphia and last year’s Concert For Diana, his performance is one not to be missed. Recognised in Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2006 and referred to by BBC Music Magazine as ‘The Greatest Living Soprano’, Anna Netrebko’s performance is set to be a show highlight.
Bryn Terfel, the world-renowned Welsh bass-baritone, returns to the Classical BRITs following his sensational reprisal of Falstaff with the Welsh National Opera.
Josh Groban, Bryn Terfel and Anna Netrebko join Andrea Bocelli, Nigel Kennedy and Sarah Brightman at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 May. The London Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Charles Abell, will accompany all the performing artists. The LCO is the longest established professional chamber orchestra in the UK, founded in 1921 by Anthony Bernard. Recognition for the orchestra has included invitations to perform at Buckingham Palace from HRH The Prince of Wales in April 2006, and HM The Queen at Kew Palace in the same month. The patron of the LCO is HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
Celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 60th Birthday, he will be the recipient of a special award for Outstanding Achievement, almost 25 years following the composition of his Requiem Mass which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. His musical legacy of course includes unparalleled success in music theatre for which he has become famous through the world.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “I am absolutely thrilled that my music is being recognised at this year’s Classical BRIT Awards and delighted to be receiving the award for an Outstanding Achievement In Music”.
Classic FM listeners and Classic FM magazine readers choose the NS&I Album of the Year. Visitors to www.classicfm.com will be able to vote for one of the 10 nominated artists. Joining Alfie Boe in this category are launch performers Blake alongside All Angels, Choirboys, Fron Male Voice Choir, Garder Thor Cortes, Hayley Westenra, Ludovico Einaudi, Natasha Marsh and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Voting for the NS&I Album Of The Year ends at midnight on Friday 11 April.”
The last remaining tickets for The Classical BRIT Awards 2008 with NS&I have just been released and are now available from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212.
Filed under: Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Classical BRIT Awards 2008, Hayley Westenra, Josh Groban, Performances-Appearances, Sarah Brightman, Theatre-Stage | Tagged: Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Royal Albert Hall, Bryn Terfel, Anna Netrebko, Andrewa Bocelli, Nigel Kennedy, Classical BRIT Awards, Lond Chamber Orchestra
