The nominations and line-up was announced yesterday: Classical BRITs Nominations Press Release
The presence of Anna Netrebko and Bryn Terfel might actually be enough to tempt me there. However, last year, some friends bought some cheap tickets and then entered a competition in the Metro or Sub-standard or some such and both won much better tickets than they had bought, so I'm holding out for Freebies. and if I don't get them, I'll live. Although, it is tempting to have a listen to Bocelli without paying the ridiculous prices he usually charges.
The nominations are strange. Female and Woman are okay, although I am perplexed by why Kate Royal gets cited for a 2006 album of no consequence.
But the male category is strange. I adore Rolando Villazón so have no in principle issue about him being nominated - indeed I have one of his CDs playing right now. But it is eighteen months since he has performed in Britain, and, I think the only album he realised last year was his zarzuela aria album, which I doubt registered many sales in Britain. I wonder why Colin Davis has been nominated. I am a big Colin Davis fan, have been since childhood, but I wonder why he has been nominated this year as opposed to any other year. As for Alfie Boe, I really have no strong opinions on him. I had no desire to see Kismet last year, nor do I wish to see the Merry Widow this year. He has a small part in ROH's Elektra next season, which seems a sensible return to his roots. I understand that he has released a couple of albums that have sold well, but as far as I can tell (I don't actually own them) he doesn't bring any startling insights of interpretation to the material. I've seen him a few times on TV and he doesn't seem a natural TV performer, looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights every time the camera focuses on him.
I can't really comment on the record of the year, two Janacek vs Bach, because I haven't heard any of the discs in question. I suspect the Makropulos Case might win as a way of honouring Charles Mackerrras.
As for the Lifetime Award...Except for his Requiem, what exactly has Andrew Lloyd-Webber ever done for classical music.
It's such a bizarre thing, because on the one hand, such as with the recording category they attempt to be serious, then they have a ridiculous play-off between the top ten selling 'classical' records of the year -basically pop records that slipped into the very wide, vague and inaccurate categorisation of 'classical' by the Official UK Chart Company, and then get Classics For Morons Listeners to vote, based upon tribalism, geography and factionalism. Obviously, Bryn and Anna, and indeed Nige, are serious musicians, but then throw in three pop singers, and what you have is neither fish nor fowl. I can't see Bryn singing O du, mein holder Abendstern; Tre sbirri, Una carrozza; and Ehi paggio!... L'onore Ladri, and I suspect Nige will go for the populist. Still, I think we can rely on Anna not to sing I Could Have Danced All Night, or a schmaltzed up Nirvana song in Portuguese. But I bet Both Bryn and Anna will be miked up, when they don't need it, not even in the Albert Hall.
