Eric Whitacre and Danielle de Niese to host Gramophone Awards 2012

18 September 2012, 16:58 | Updated: 18 September 2012, 17:45

The votes are in, the classical artists and record companies are ready to go - and two of the world's most in-demand performers are gearing up for the glamourous award ceremony.

Award-winning choral composer Eric Whitacre is co-hosting this year’s prestigious Gramophone Awards alongside international opera star Danielle de Niese, at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 27 September. They’ll be joined by Gramophone Magazine’s editor-in-chief, James Jolly, and present the coveted awards to a host of classical music stars at the ceremony.

Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the classical music world’ by Eric and many others, the Gramophone Awards celebrate the best recordings of the year – not to mention the hours of hard work that goes into making them from everyone involved.

Eric boasts the accolade of being one of the most popular composers alive today, and won a Grammy in 2012 with his album of choral music, Light & Gold. Soprano Danielle has performed in opera houses all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House, and Glyndebourne, winning over audiences with her portrayal of Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare in 2005.

This year’s ceremony promises another celebration of some of the greatest classical music talent, with live performances from classical stars. The awards were chosen by a panel of experts, with the hotly-contested Artist of the Year category being judged on a public vote.

See the full list of Gramophone Awards 2012 nominations.