Classical Brit Awards: All change for hostess with the mostest Myleene Klass as she dazzles in two frocks

By Ben Todd

Mermaid to bird-like: Myleene Klass walked the red carpet at the Classical Brit Awards in a yellow mermaid gown, before changing into a striking feathery number


It was a night of very classic glamour.

And to prove the point Myleene Klass arrived at the Classical Brit Awards yesterday evening in an elegant, floor-length 1920s-style dress.

Miss Klass, 32, was of course a classical violinist before becoming a pop star and TV personality

The former Hear'Say singer donned the bright, yellow Joe Challita-designed outfit as the host of the event at the Royal Albert Hall.

And just like she had done in previous years, Klass changed into a second white strapless feather ballgown for her hosting duties.

As for the awards themselves, they proved a disappointment for perhaps the most surprising nominee in the event’s history.


Challenging: Klass struggled to walk in her tight-fitting yellow gown


Pope Benedict XVI’s bid for success ended in failure when the 83-year-old was pipped to the Best Album gong by Welsh choir Only Men Aloud.

The 19-strong male voice choir – formed by Tim Rhys-Evans and based in Cardiff - came to national prominence when they won BBC1's talent competition Last Choir Standing in 2008.

And yesterday evening their album Band Of Brothers took the blue riband award at the event, held at the Royal Albert Hall in central London.


Glamour: West End star Jodie Prenger wore a black halterneck gown, Britain's Got Talent star Faryl Smith looked all grown-up in a grey satin ballgown, while New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra wore a LBD


They beat off rivals including the head of the Catholic Church’s album Alma Mater – Music From The Vatican featuring the voice of Pope Benedict XVI.

Also losing out to Only Men Aloud were classical boyband Blake and Camilla Kerslake, who was the first signing to pop star Gary Barlow’s record label.

Irish trio The Priests, The Band Of The Coldstream Guards and From Male Voice Choir were also beaten in the battle for the Best Album.

At the event, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The 66-year-old New-Zealand-born soprano has been performing publicly since 1968.


Red carpet ready: (L-R) Camilla Kerslake wore a navy dress with plunging neckline, Welsh soprano Natasha Marsh wore a simple black gown, while trumper soloist Alison Balsom stood out in trousers and a basque


Russian Vasily Petrenko was named Male Artist of the Year beating Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel. Petrenko is the chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philarmonic Orchestra and was even made an 'Honorary Scouser' by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool last year.

The Female Artist of the Year award went to Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu, who beat former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Faryl Smith, 14, to the title.

Miss Smith wore a classical turquoise dresses for her arrival at the awards last night, one of her first red carpet appearances.


Chance to shine: Romanian soprano Angela Gheorgiou was presented with the Female Artist of the Year Award, by Richard E. Grant (left), while Classic FM presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife Jackie


If Simon Cowell could see me now: X Factor 2007 runner-up Rhydian Roberts performs


Meanwhile the Composer Of The Year award went to Thomas Ades for The Tempest. He pipped Howard Goodall to the award.

Young British Classical Performer plaudit went to violinst Jack Leibeck, 29, while The Critics Award went to Verdi’s Messa De Requim from a group of performers led by the Roma Orchestra Dell’ Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia.

Other Celebrities at the event included West End star Jodie Prenger, Richard E Grant and Julia McKenzie.

The awards will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITV1 HD on Tuesday, May 18.


Triumphant: (L-R) Young British Classical Performer winner Jack Liebeck, Critics' Award winner Rolando Villazon and Composer of the Year Thomas Ades


Mystery men: Classical boy band Blake arrived in personalised motorbike helmets


The winners are...

Young British Classical Performer or Group - Jack Liebeck

Composer of the Year - Thomas Ades (for The Tempest)

Soundtrack of the Year - Thomas Newman, Revolutionary Road

Female Artist of the Year - Angela Gheorghiu
Male Artist of the Year - Vasily Petrenko

Critics' Award - Verdi: Messa Da Requiem, Roma Orchestra Dell' Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Antonio Pappano, Rolando Villazon, Anja Harteros, Sonja Ganassi & Rene Pape.

NS&I Album of the Year - Only Men Aloud, Band Of Brothers

Lifetime Achievement - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa


source :dailymail