Vocal quartet Blake became only the second act in the history of the event to win the NS & I Album of the Year Award with their debut album. Star violinist Nicola Benedetti won the Young Performer of the Year award, having been nominated for it three times. And Russian soprano Anna Netrebko was awarded the prestigious Female Artist of the Year award.

The performance from legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli was a crowning moment of the evening, and superstar soprano Anna Netrebko's stunning singing proved once again why she is the critics' darling and the toast of opera houses worldwide. Hayley Westenra and tenor Jonathan Ansell performed a show-stopping duet that showed their chart topping calibre. And violin superstar David Garrett demonstrated virtuosity and star calibre with arresting renditions of string classics.

The three winners will use the springboard of these awards to develop their careers further. Opera group Blake have gone from forming on Facebook to winning a publicly voted award in one year, and with two UK tours with Katherine Jenkins coming up in summer and winter, and a second album planned for the autumn, this is the start of big things for the group. Anna Netrebko will see her 'Souvenirs' album released in November, as well as returns to the opera house, and Benedetti will also release a 'World Collection' in the autumn, supported by extensive touring.

Winners:

NS&I Album of the Year - Blake
Female Artist of the Year - Anna Netrebko
Young British Classical Performer - Nicola Benedetti

The event, to be broadcast on ITV1 on 15 May at 10:35pm

Source:ClassicsandJazz.co.uk