Bartoli targets hat-trick of Classical Brit gongs. (News).

Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli is chasing triple glory at this year's Classical Brits, spearheading Universal Classics' nine-strong nominations haul.

The Decca signing's Gluck: Italian Arias has been shortlisted for both Rover album of the year and the critics' award, while she is up against both Deutsche Grammophon/ Universal's Magdalena Kozena and Chandos' Tasmin Little for female artist of the year.

"The nominations reflect the fact that's she's the best mezzo-soprano in the world, but we've got further progress to make with her in the UK," says Universal Classics marketing director Dickon Stainer, whose company's nine nominations are joined by Andrea Bocelli as outstanding contribution to music winner.

Bartoli's challengers for the Rover prize, which is voted for by Classic FM listeners, include last year's winner and fellow Decca artist Russell Watson who is considered this time for Encore. However, Stainer is disappointed Watson has been overlooked as male artist of the year, despite last year selling nearly 800,000 albums in the UK. The category instead comprises Sir Colin Davis, Richard Hickox and Andreas Scholl.

"That's a staggering omission given the level of success he's had," says Stainer. "The classical industry has changed, so we need to look at how the voting academy is made up."

Alongside Bartoli, Hickox is also in the running for three awards at the May 23 event at London's Royal Albert Hall. As well as his male artist of the year shortlisting, he has two nominations for his Chandos-issued album with the LSO, Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony.

Warner's four-nominations showing includes two soundtracks -- Howard Shore's Lord of The Rings ...