The Classic BRIT Awards (previously Classical BRIT Awards) are an annual awards ceremony held in the United Kingdom covering aspects of classical and crossover music, and are the equivalent of popular music's Brit Awards. The awards are organised by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and were inaugurated in 2000 "in recognition of the achievements of classical musicians and the growth of classical music sales in the UK".
The ceremony takes place in the Royal Albert Hall each May. The event combines live performances with specially commissioned awards presented throughout the evening. Since 2011, the ceremony has been known as "Classic BRIT Awards". After a five-year hiatus following the 2013 ceremony, the Classic BRIT Awards returned with a ceremony broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall on 13 June 2018. It was subsequently revealed that the Classic BRIT Awards would become a biennial event, with the next ceremony scheduled to be held in 2020. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television networks across the globe; the 2020 live ceremony were suspended to a later date due to a ban on large gatherings by the government in March of that year.
Voting for the awards is done by "an academy of industry executives, the media, the British Association of Record Dealers (BARD), members of the Musicians Union, lawyers, promoters, and orchestra leaders," except for "Album of the Year" which is voted for by listeners of Classic FM.
Awards
2000
Friday 5 May 2000. Hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald.
British Artist of the Year – Charlotte Church
Female Artist of the Year – Martha Argerich
Male Artist of the Year – Bryn Terfel
Critics' Award – Ian Bostridge
Album of the Year – Andrea Bocelli – Sacred Arias
Best selling classical album – Andrea Bocelli – Sacred Arias
Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Choir of King's College, Cambridge – Rachmaninoff Vespers Young British Classical Performer – Daniel Harding Outstanding Contribution to Music – Nigel Kennedy
2001
Thursday 31 May 2001. Hosted by Katie Derham.
Female Artist of the Year – Angela Gheorghiu
Male Artist of the Year – Nigel Kennedy
Album of the Year – Russell Watson – The Voice
Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Sir Simon Rattle and Berliner Philharmoniker – Mahler, 10th Symphony Young British Classical Performer – Freddy Kempf Critics' Award – Sir Simon Rattle and Berliner Philarmoniker – Mahler, 10th Symphony Best-selling Debut Album – Russell Watson – The Voice Outstanding Contribution to Music – Sir Simon Rattle
2002
Wednesday 22 May 2002. Hosted by Katie Derham.
Female Artist of the Year – Cecilia Bartoli
Male Artist of the Year – Sir Colin Davis
Album of the Year – Russell Watson – Encore
Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Richard Hickox and London Symphony Orchestra – Vaughan Williams, A London Symphony Contemporary Music Award – Tan Dun – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Young British Classical Performer – Guy Johnston Critics' Award – Sir Colin Davis and London Symphony Orchestra – Berlioz, Les Troyens Biggest-selling Classical Album – Russell Watson – Encore Outstanding Contribution to Music – Andrea Bocelli
2003
Thursday 22 May 2003. Hosted by Katie Derham.
Female Artist of the Year – Renée Fleming
Male Artist of the Year – Sir Simon Rattle
Album of the Year – Andrea Bocelli – Sentimento
Best selling classical album – Andrea Bocelli – Sentimento
Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle – Mahler, Symphony no. 5 Contemporary Music Award – Arvo Pärt – Orient & Occident Young British Classical Performer – Chloë Hanslip Critics' Award – Murray Perahia – Chopin, Etudes Opus 10, Opus 25 Outstanding Contribution to Music – Cecilia Bartoli
2004
Wednesday 26 May 2004. Hosted by Katie Derham.
Female Artist of the Year – Cecilia Bartoli
Male Artist of the Year – Bryn Terfel
Album of the Year – Bryn Terfel – Bryn
Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Sir Simon Rattle and Vienna Philharmonic – Beethoven Symphonies Contemporary Music Award – Philip Glass – The Hours Young British Classical Performer – Daniel Hope Critics' Award – Vengerov, Rostropovich and London Symphony Orchestra – Britten/Walton Concertos Outstanding Contribution to Music – Renée Fleming
2005
Wednesday 25 May 2005. Hosted by Lesley Garrett.