Classic Brits 2011

In case anybody had the bizarre notion that the Classical Brits was getting a trifle too classical, the 2011 version of the event was rebranded as the Classic Brit Awards. That would seem to open the door to almost anything - classic rock perhaps, or classic schmaltz (well, waltzmeister Andre Rieu did win Album of the Year). The night climaxed with Dame Shirley Bassey singing "Goldfinger", capping a tribute to the late John Barry, and sounding nowhere near as "classic" as she used to.

Stage musicals comfortably make the cut, with Alfie Boe and the cast of Les Misérables taking the stage for a jog through a medley which included "Bring Him Home" and "One Day More". There was room for the unspeakable too, in the shape of Il Divo, Simon Cowell's grooming-product-encrusted squad of male models laughably given the Artist of the Decade award (pictured below).

Yet there was room for "proper" classical artists, with gongs going to trumpeteuse Alison Balsom (Female Artist of the Year), violinists Tasmin Little (Critics' Award) and Vilde Frang (Newcomer Award), and conductor Antonio Pappano (Male Artist of the Year). Anne-Sophie "call me Miss" Mutter whizzed through a chunk of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with all strings blazing, while Eric Whitacre conducted his Eric Whitacre Singers in Sleep.

But surely politics and the Classic Brits can't mix? Only if you're Arvo Pärt. The esteemed Estonian was named Composer of the Year, and dedicated his award to "Russia's number one political prisoner, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who has become a victim of state judicial terror." Now that's what I call classic. Wonder if that'll make it into ITV1's broadcast of the show on 29 May.