All Angels at The Classical Brits

[melaniewalsh]

Hi, I am Mel and a huge fan of the Angels. I saw them in Bury St Edmunds, and tonight I had a couple of tickets for the Brits. I am posting a review of the event even though it was not the best news for All Angels.

I am gutted All Angels did not win the best Album. Methinks it was the young girly vote that swung it for Blake. There was a very loud cheer when All Angels were mentioned. However I was sitting below the Blake friends box and the cheering was distintly high pitched. I was right near the front of the Stalls in the Albert Hall but the wrong side of the All Angel's table with my vision obscured by a camera. I think All Angels were on table 1 with friends and family, and I am sure I saw Will Martin.

Melanie Klass, dressed somewhat like one of those naff toilet roll dollies was a perfect host adding an air of innocent humour to professionalism.

Ealier in the day it was reported that Nigel Kennedy had pulled out due to the famous "artistiic diffences". I for one did not miss him.

I can not remember the exact running order of the awards so I will start with the entertainment.

Up first was a wonderful duet featuring Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, they performed a delightful version of Canto della Terra. Brightman may not be the greatest soprano in the world. What she lacks in technique she makes up with warmth, and Bocelli is Bocelli and was superb.

Next was meant to be Nigel Kennedy but I have mentioned his absence. So instead we had Steven Isserlis perfoming Bach's Serabande from Cello Suite No 5 in C minor. Now I find Bach insipid and uninspiring, so although I admire Isserlis, my mind was wandering to thoughts of what I needed from Tesco. Sorry I view Bach as I view toothache.

Realising that my heroine Anna Netrebko was not performing Les Filles de Cadix, I made a dash to the restroom. If anyone else was there, please fill in this gap.

Josh Groban is a wondeful classic crooner, and his versions of the "February Song" abd Charlie Chaplin "Smile" made pleasant if not earth shattering listening.

Garrett, Sokolov and Yang peformed de Sarasate's "Navarra Opus 33 for 2 violins" admirably, though at times it was hard to hear Yang's guitar.

Now things picked up dramatically. Firstly Hayley Westenra sung the stunning duet Un Giorno Noi with the former G4 Boy Jonathan Ansell. If it was not for the beauty of the singing and the beauty of their looks, I would have closed my eyes and imagined a warm summer Sicily day.

Now I an not a great fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but Sarah Brightman's version of Pie Jesu nearly brought me to tears.

However the tears were in full flow for the finale. Andrea Bocelli and Anna Netbrebko sung an awe inspiring rendition of "Brindisi" fro Verdi's Requiem. Yes it is a joyful drinking song, but I have been waiting years to see Ms Netrebko. I had tickets for her scheduled performances at the ROH but de to illness she was unable to perform. So to see her at last was just so emotional for me. I was like a fool crying in he Goat pub 30 mins after, and even now I have a tear in my eye....yes I am sad lol.

OK now for the winners

Best Male Artist - Sir Colin Davis

Best Female Artist- Anna Netrebko YAY (Also she should win the strangest dress award lol)

Outstanding Achievement - Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber

Young Classical Performance- Nicola Benedetti

Critics Award - Steven Isserlis (Bach Aaaaaaaaarggggggggghh)

Sountrack - James Howard Howard "Blood Diamond"

And I have told you who won best Album.

But the winner of the sexiest dress will go to Natasha Marsh...Wow

Presenters - Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, Simon Bates, Margheritta Taylor, Annie Lennox YAY, Brian Blessed, Michael Grade and Jane Asher

In all a wonderful night. I am just unhappy the All Saints did not win best Album

[Northern_Lights]

don't you mean All Angels instead of All Saints?

[admin]

Hello Mel and welcome to the forum.

Many thanks for your most informative review. It was certainly a memorable night and, like you, I will never forget the Bocelli-Netrebko duet.

Roger

[dazza]

Hi Mel,

A very warm welcome to the forum. I also had a very enjoyable evening. Though All Angels weren't sitting at a table, they had a box just above the Royal box.

Dazza