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JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ, JOSHUA BELL & KATHERINE JENKINS TO PERFORM AT THE CLASSICAL BRIT AWARDS 2007 WITH NS&I

27 March 2007

Accompanied by the London Chamber Orchestra

The BPI, representing UK record companies, is delighted to announce that Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez will perform at The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 with NS&I. It was also revealed today that American violinist Joshua Bell and mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins will perform during the evening with all performances accompanied by the LCO.

Returning to the Royal Albert Hall for the eighth consecutive year on Thursday 3 May 2007, The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 have already confirmed that Chinese pianist Lang Lang and the Fron Male Voice Choir will perform as well as this year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient Dr Vernon Handley CBE who will be conducting a special performance of one movement from the Elgar Cello Concerto performed by Natalie Clein. The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 with NS&I will be broadcast on Sunday 6 May on ITV1.

The nominations for The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 with NS&I will be unveiled on Monday 2 April at the Royal Garden Hotel.  The categories are NS&I’s Album of the Year (won for the past two consecutive years by Katherine Jenkins), Young British Classical Performer, Singer of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Classical Recording of the Year, Contemporary Composer of the Year, Critics’ Award and Soundtrack Of The Year. Confirmed to perform at the nominations launch are soprano Natasha Marsh, tenor Alfie Boe and exceptional violinist Ruth Palmer.

The Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez recently broke a 70-year-old taboo at La Scala opera house by being forced to give an encore of the aria ‘Ah mes amis’ from Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment due to the unending ecstatic applause. His ability to consistently hit a series of nine perfect high Cs has ensured engagements confirmed through to 2013. This will be his debut performance for The Classical BRIT Awards.

For over two decades Joshua Bell has been captivating audiences worldwide with his poetic musicality. Equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra leader, Joshua Bell’s career is exceptionally varied. A multi-award winning artist, Joshua Bell’s work includes the Classical BRIT Award nominated Ladies In Lavender soundtrack and the best-selling Romance Of The Violin album. Bell plays the 1713 Gibson ex Huberman Stradivarius.

One of the most special events of the evening will be the joining of Welsh voices, when for the first time ever Katherine Jenkins will perform with the Fron Male Voice Choir. Uniquely, both the choir and Katherine Jenkins have already performed at the Millennium Stadium. Katherine Jenkins has now been awarded with Classical BRIT Awards for NS&I’s Album of the Year two years running, one for ‘Second Nature’ in 2005 and last year for ‘Living The Dream’.

Another first for The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 with NS&I is the introduction of the London Chamber Orchestra (LCO) providing the accompaniment for the night. Conducted by Music Director and Principal Conductor Christopher Warren-Green, 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.

Tickets for The Classical BRIT Awards 2007 with NS&I are now available from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212.

ENDS

Notes to editors

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. The BRIT Awards is the only UK show where all the proceeds are donated to charity. Millions have been raised over the years for its beneficiaries: The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Over 7,000 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 300 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 largest savings organisations in the UK, offering a range of savings and investments products, including Premium Bonds, Savings Certificates, Direct ISA and Children's Bonus Bonds to 27 million customers. All products offer 100% capital security, because they are backed by HM Treasury. NS&I has sponsored the Classic FM Morning Show since February 2002, and The Classical BRIT Awards since 2003.

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