Classical Brits highlight `breadth' of sector's successes. (News).

Pop values confronted the world of classical music head on at the opening of this year's Classical Brit Awards, when Russell Watson stormed the stage of the Royal Albert Hall with a medley of Mercury's Barcelona and Parry's Jerusalem, writes Andrew Stewart.

The white-suited singer, backed by the English Chamber Orchestra and an opera chorus, raised purist hackles at last Thursday's event when he was joined by four female dancers wearing St George's flag dresses and thongs.

Classical Brit Awards chairman Rob Dickins responded to media criticism of Watson and other crossover acts such as the Opera Babes and The Planets. "I think core classical values are rock solid, which was demonstrated by the performances from Magdalena Kozena and Chloe," he says. "If we only reflected the popular side of crossover, then I'd accept the criticisms. But we never have done that--we've reflected all aspects of classical music."

Dickins adds that the range of acts booked for the Classical Brits matched the range of choices facing consumers of classical music. "If you tune in to the show for one reason and discover something else, whether it be a core classical artist or Andrea Bocelli, I think that's a fantastic achievement," he says.

In presenting the critics' award to Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra for its live ...