Thursday 15 May 2008 10:35pm - 11:50pm

Musician, broadcaster and TV presenter, Myleene Klass hosts this star-studded gala evening as some of the world’s biggest classical music artists gather at London’s Royal Albert Hall for The Classical BRIT Awards 2008 sponsored by NS&I.

Riding high on the success of her own album Music For Mothers, which toped the classical compilation chart, Myleene will be joined by a glittering array of operatic legends providing exclusive world class performances. Grammy nominated and the multi-platinum selling artist Andrea Bocelli will be taking centre stage and performing at this year’s awards alongside other greats including violinist Nigel Kennedy, world-renowned Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel CBE, the U.S biggest selling artist of 2007 Josh Groban, Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and, making her Classical BRITS performance debut, Sarah Brightman.

"The Classical BRITS is the biggest event in the classical calendar,” commented Myleene. “To be the host is a personal highlight in my career. I'm really looking forward to presenting a ceremony that is so close to my heart and I'm sure it will be a magical evening."

In celebration Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 60th birthday and in recognition of his hugely successful career, he will be presented with 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 includes unparalleled success in music theatre for which he has become famous through the world.

Lord 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".

The categories feature a wealth of new and establish talent. Flying the British flag is tenor Alfie Boe who has gained two nominations for NS&I Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. Canadian Classical pianist Angela Hewitt, British cellist Natalie Clein, and Russian operatic soprano Anna Netrebko battle it out for Female Artist of the Year whilst violinist Nicola Benedetti has been nominated in the Young British Classical Performer or Group category for a third time.

Soprano Kate Royal, who performed on the Paul McCartney 2007 NS&I Album Of The Year Ecce Cor Meum, gets her debut nomination along with critically acclaimed violist Lawrence Power.

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.

The full list of nominations for The Classical BRITS 2008 are listed below.

Press contact: Sarah Banbury, publicist entertainment, 084488 13018 sarah.banbury@itv.com

The Classical BRIT Awards 2008 Nominations

Nominations are from the Academy voting, except NS&I Album of the Year which is chosen by Classic FM listeners and Classic FM Magazine readers; The Soundtrack of the Year Award which is chosen by a panel of experts from film and television; and the winner of the Critics’ Award which is chosen by a panel of critics from the national media.

Male Artist of the Year:
Alfie Boe La Passione & Onward (EMI Classics)
Rolando Villazon Duets & Gitano-Zarzuella Arias (Deutsche Grammophon &
Virgin Classics)
Sir Colin Davis Elgar: Enigma Variations & Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 & Beethoven:Fidelio (LSO Live)

Female Artist of the Year:
Angela Hewitt Rameau: Keyboard Suites (Hyperion)
Anna Netrebko Duets & Opera (Deutsche Grammophon)
Natalie Clein Elgar: Cello Concerto (EMI Classics)

NS&I Album of the Year:
Alfie Boe Onward (EMI Classics)
All Angels Into Paradise (UCJ)
Blake Blake (UCJ)
Choirboys The Carols Album (UCJ)
Fron Male Voice Choir Voices of the Valley – Encore (UCJ)
Gardar Thor Cortes Cortes (Believer Music)
Hayley Westenra Treasure (Decca)
Ludovico Einaudi Divenire (Decca)
Natasha Marsh Amour (EMI Classics)
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Spirit of the Glen (UCJ)

Young British Classical Performer or Group:
Kate Royal (EMI Classics)
Lawrence Power (Hyperion)
Nicola Benedetti (Deutsche Grammophon)

Soundtrack of the Year:
Dario Marianelli Atonement (UCJ)
James Newton Howard Blood Diamond (Varese Sarabande)
Craig Armstrong/Ar Rahman Elizabeth – The Golden Age (UCJ)

Critics’ Award:
ENO Chorus and Orchestra Sir Charles Mackerras BC
Janácek: The Makropulos Case (Chandos)
Pavel Haas Quartet
Janácek: Quartet No 1/Pavel Haas:Quartets Nos 1& 3 (Supraphon)
Steven Isserlis
Bach: Cello Suites (Hyperion)

Outstanding Achievement In Music:
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber

Notes to editors:
www.classicalbrits.co.uk

The BRIT Trust
The BRIT in the title of The Classical BRIT Awards originates from the British Record Industry Trust. The Classical BRIT Awards is a charity event and donates its proceeds to the BRIT Trust each year. Millions have been raised over the years for its beneficiaries: The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Over 8,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the school since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the phenomenal music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.

The BPI
The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) is the trade association representing the UK recording industry. It counts among its members over 400 record companies representing around 90% of recorded music sales in the UK. The BPI works to protect and promote the interests of its members. Among its activities are campaigning against music piracy, compiling the industry’s official research and statistics, lobbying the media and Government and of course organising The BRIT Awards and The Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I.

About NS&I
NS&I is one of the UK's largest financial providers with 28 million customers and over £83 billion invested. It is best known for Premium Bonds, but also offers Savings Certificates, Direct ISA, Guaranteed Equity Bonds and Children's Bonus Bonds in its range. All products offer 100% security, because we are backed by HM Treasury. For more information visit: www.nsandi.com