Classic BRITs - Outstanding Contributions & Lifetime Achievement Awards
Since 2000, the Classic BRIT Awards (formerly the Classical BRIT Awards) has been an institution and an indelible mark on the classical music calendar. We take a look at the winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Music and Lifetime Achievement awards from over the years - it's chock full of legends, so see who won what!
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1. Nigel Kennedy - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2000
Who better than the former enfant terrible of the classical world to receive the ultimate accolade? Nigel Kennedy got the gong in the awards' inaugural year.
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2. Sir Simon Rattle - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2001
The great Simon Rattle has been a legendary name for some time now, and he's only gone from strength to strength since receiving his BRIT in 2001.
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3. Andrea Bocelli - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2002
Bocelli is back at this year's ceremony too - he'll be receiving the International Artist of the Year Award at the 2012 Classic BRITs - but he also got the Outstanding Contribution award back in 2002.
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4. Cecilia Bartoli - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2003
The outstanding mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli graced the Classic BRITs in 2003 to collect her Outstanding Contribution award in 2003.
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5. Renee Fleming - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2004
Though she's no stranger to winning awards, the Classic BRITs honoured her with the Outstanding Contribution gong in 2004.
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6. James Galway - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2005
The world's best-known flautist received due praise when he collected his Classic BRIT in 2005, performing at the glittering ceremony too.
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7. Placido Domingo - Lifetime Achievement, 2006
One of The Three Tenors got the chance to shine on his own at the 2006 ceremony as he collected his award for Lifetime Achievement in music.
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8. Vernon Handley - Lifetime Achievement, 2007
Known for his relentless support of British composers throughout his distinguished conducting career, Handley got a well-deserved gong in 2007.
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9. Andrew Lloyd Webber - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2008
The king of musicals received his Outstanding Contribution to Music award in 2008 - he's also set to appear at the 2012 ceremony as well!
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10. José Carreras - Lifetime Achievement, 2009
The Spanish tenor celebrated a life in music when he collected his Lifetime Achievement award in 2009, not just for his work with the legendary Three Tenors, but for his tireless devotion to music-making.
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11. Kiri Te Kanawa - Lifetime Achievement, 2010
The hugely varied and respected career of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was honoured in 2010 with her receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Here she is at the 2006 ceremony.
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12. John Barry - Outstanding Contribution to Music, 2011
In the year of his death, the composer of several James Bond soundtracks, Out Of Africa, Midnight Cowboy and Dances With Wolves was honoured posthumously at the 2011 Classic BRITs.
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13. John Williams - Lifetime Achievement, 2012
This year's ceremony will honour one of the most respected and influential modern composers - John Williams. His scores for films like Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones and ET are already classics, and his award will be celebrated with a special performance of some of best-loved works.
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14. Hans Zimmer - Outstanding Contribution to Music 2013
Hans Zimmer, composer of movie themes including Man Of Steel, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Dark Knight and many more, was the hugely deserving winner of the Outstanding Contribution to music award in 2013.
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15. Luciano Pavarotti - Lifetime Achievment, 2013
Awarded posthumously, Pavarotti's award recognised an incredible life in music and his knack for popularising the classics. He was originally intended as the award's recipient six years before, but he sadly died before he was able to collect it.
