The Classic BRIT Awards (previously Classical BRIT Awards) are an annual awards ceremony held in the United Kingdom covering aspects of classical and crossover music, and are the equivalent of popular music's Brit Awards. The awards are organised by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and were inaugurated in 2000 "in recognition of the achievements of classical musicians and the growth of classical music sales in the UK". The ceremony takes place in the Royal Albert Hall each May. The event combines live performances with specially commissioned awards presented throughout the evening. Since 2011, the ceremony has been known as "Classic BRIT Awards". After a five-year hiatus following the 2013 ceremony, the Classic BRIT Awards returned with a ceremony broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall on 13 June 2018. It was subsequently revealed that the Classic BRIT Awards would become a biennial event, with the next ceremony scheduled to be held in 2020. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television networks across the globe; the 2020 live ceremony were suspended to a later date due to a ban on large gatherings by the government in March of that year. Voting for the awards is done by "an academy of industry executives, the media, the British Association of Record Dealers (BARD), members of the Musicians Union, lawyers, promoters, and orchestra leaders," except for "Album of the Year" which is voted for by listeners of Classic FM. Awards 2000 Friday 5 May 2000. Hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald. British Artist of the Year – Charlotte Church Female Artist of the Year – Martha Argerich Male Artist of the Year – Bryn Terfel Critics' Award – Ian Bostridge Album of the Year – Andrea Bocelli – Sacred Arias Best selling classical album – Andrea Bocelli – Sacred Arias Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Choir of King's College, Cambridge – Rachmaninoff Vespers Young British Classical Performer – Daniel Harding Outstanding Contribution to Music – Nigel Kennedy 2001 Thursday 31 May 2001. Hosted by Katie Derham. Female Artist of the Year – Angela Gheorghiu Male Artist of the Year – Nigel Kennedy Album of the Year – Russell Watson – The Voice Ensemble/Orchestral Album of the Year – Sir Simon Rattle and Berliner Philharmoniker – Mahler, 10th Symphony Young British Classical Performer – Freddy Kempf Critics' Award – Sir Simon Rattle and Berliner Philarmoniker – Mahler, 10th Symphony Best-selling Debut Album