Two Brits for Bryn as Kath dazzles

The Western Mail


BRYN TERFEL was a double winner at last night's Classical Brit Awards.

The Welsh baritone was named Male Artist of the Year and also won the prize for Album of the Year.

Soprano Katherine Jenkins, from Neath, won the glamour stakes in a striking dress as she outshone stars such as former Hear'Say singer Myleene Klass, violinist Vanessa-Mae and 17-year-old soprano Hayley Westenra in the red carpet parade.

Newsreader Katie Derham hosted the ceremony in a backless white dress, as the world of glitz joined forces with the big names in classical music at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The Album of the Year award is voted by the public and Terfel's platinum-selling record, simply titled Bryn, triumphed over pop star-turned pianist Klass's debut Moving On and Westenra's Pure, which was the top-selling album of 2003.

New Zealand-born Westenra also lost out in the best female category to 37-year-old Italian Cecilia Bartoli.

The teenager was one of the performers at the ceremony, along with Jenkins, who recently signed the UK's biggest classical deal for a newcomer, and Nigel Kennedy.

Violinist Daniel Hope was best young British classical performer and Phillip Glass won the contemporary music award for his score for the Nicole Kidman film The Hours.

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