Faryl Smith to open Classical Brits

11:44 | Thursday May 14, 2009

The ceremony takes place at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, with performances from José Carreras – who picks up the lifetime achievement award - Plácido Domingo, Katherine Jenkins, Faryl Smith and The Priests.

Conductor Sir Charles Mackerras and soundtrack writer James Newton Howard are both nominated for two awards: Mackerras for the critics’ award and male artist of the year for his recordings of Mozart Symphonies nos. 38-41 and Newton Howard for his scores for I Am Legend and The Dark Knight, both nominated for soundtrack of the year.

Smith will also be appearing as the special guest of Carreras at the opening night of the Hampton Court Palace Festival on June 2.