Classic Brit Awards 2011 Nominations Announced

The glittering awards ceremony returns to the Royal Albert Hall on May 12. We have the full list of nominees...

Core classical artists look set to dominate the Classic Brit Awards 2011 in nominations announced today. Conductor and pianist Antonio Pappano and tenor Rolando Villazón lead the way with two nominations apiece.

Elsewhere, and for the first time, three British artists are competing for the title of Female Artist of the Year. There's also a first in Classic BRITs history as Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras becomes the first person ever to receive a posthumous Classic BRIT nomination.

As always the coveted Classic FM Album of the Year award will be decided by public vote. See the nominations below, but you can cast your vote now.

The classical music event, which celebrates the best of British and international classical talent, takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 May and will be hosted by our very own Myleene Klass.

Confirmed performances for the event so far include two-time Classic BRIT award-winner, trumpeter Alison Balsom, German virtuoso violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, as well as American conductor and composer Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers. Also on the bill are the cast of Les Misérables with Alfie Boe, Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins and Il Divo. All performers will be accompanied by the London Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green.

See below for a complete list of all nominees.
 
Female Artist of the Year in association with PPL
Alison Balsom
Mitsuko Uchida
Nicola Benedetti

Male Artist of the Year
Antonio Pappano
Rolando Villazón
Sir Charles Mackerras

Newcomer Award in association with MasterCard
Alice Sara Ott
Miloš
Vilde Frang

Composer of the Year
Arvo Pärt
Eric Whitacre
Karl Jenkins

Critics’ Award
Antonio Pappano
Jonas Kaufmann
Tasmin Little

Artist of the Decade In association with Raymond Weil
Il Divo

Classic FM Album of the Year
Aled’s Christmas Gift by Aled Jones
Moonlight Serenade by Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra
Voices – Chant from Avignon by the Benedictine Nuns of Notre-Dame
Carols & Christmas Songs by Bryn Terfel
Reach for the Skies by Central Band of the RAF
The Choirgirl Isabel by Choirgirl Isabel
The Guitarist by Craig Ogden
Noel by The Priests
Tenor by Rolando Villazón
La Voce by Russell Watson