Classical Brits prize for male TV choir

The all-male group, who won TV show Last Choir Standing, took the prize with their Band Of Brothers release.

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu picked up her second title at the annual bash, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, by landing the best female artist prize. She last won in 2001.

Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko, who leads the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, was rewarded as top male artist.

Only Men Aloud were up against Smith, Rhydian Roberts, The Priests and Pope Benedict XVI – whose voice appeared on the album Alma Mater: Music From The Vatican – to land their NS&I Album Of The Year prize. The category was voted for by Classic FM listeners and readers of Classic FM magazine.

The awards were hosted by Myleene Klass.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was honoured with a lifetime achievement in music prize and performed Mozart's Ach, Ich Fuhl's.

Other performances included appearances by Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Rolando Villazon, the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

There was further disappointment for Smith when she lost out to British violinist Jack Liebeck for the title of young British classical performer. Thomas Ades was named composer of the year for The Tempest.