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Tenors to honour Pavarotti at Brits

Singing stars Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo are to honour their late Three Tenors colleague Luciano Pavarotti when he gets a Lifetime Achievement award at the Classic Brits this week.

Carreras is to head to the London ceremony in a brief diversion from his international tour, while Domingo has recorded a video message for his fellow Nessun Dorma performer who is being recognised with a posthumous prize.

Organisers of the event on October 2 have also given a second chance to choirboy Jack Topping asking him to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, after a scheduled debut last week was axed as a result of a fire alert.

The Liverpudlian schoolboy's slot at a Classic FM concert last week was pulled with just minutes to go, much to the 11-year-old Decca Records signing's disappointment.

Jack said today: "I had never been to the the Royal Albert Hall before and I was so excited that I was going to perform there, so when the show was cancelled I was really disappointed. I can't believe I have been given another chance to sing there. I keep thinking I'm just so lucky."

Dickon Stainer, president of Decca Records, said: "We are very grateful to the Classic Brit Awards production team and the musicians who have helped make this happen for Jack. A debut performance at the Royal Albert Hall is a milestone moment for all performers and for Jack to have his cancelled must have been devastating for him."

Carreras is interrupting his journey from Buenos Aires to Barcelona to present the award to Pavarotti's widow Nicoletta.

She said: "It is wonderful that the music industry is honouring Luciano in this way, particularly at a time when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first recording. It is beautiful that the Classic BRIT Awards are helping to keep his memory alive through honouring him in this way".

Pavarotti had been due to accept the award six years ago but he died before it could be presented. Domingo is unable to atttend the ceremony - officially called the Classic Brit Awards with MasterCard - but has recorded a personal tribute video for the occasion.

Among the performers at the ceremony, hosted by Myleene Klass, will be pianists Ludovico Einaudi, and Lang Lang, violinist Nicola Benedetti and Gareth Malone will be appearing with his new Voices choir. Composer Hans Zimmer will perform as he collects his outstanding contribution award, and singers Alfie Boe and Samantha Barks will also appear on stage.

The event will be screened by ITV on October 6.

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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