20. Rhydian
Why: He's fun, sensitive, dramatic, soothing and exciting all at once.  He's a versatile performer, and despite what X-Factor editing would have you believe, down to earth and humble.  He's a top notch singer with a tone that would make most people listen twice.

Highlights: Benedictus, How Great Thou Art, What If, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Conquest of Paradise

 Album pick: O Fortuna
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes


19. William Joseph
Why: The pianist discovered by David Foster is nothing short of jaw-dropping.  If his compositions are not melodic and stunning enough, you can spend your time staring in awe at the blur of fingers and hands that race up and down the keyboard.  Although he dabbles with the odd cover, Joseph mostly does his own thing.

Highlights: Within, Dust in the Wind, Asturias, A Mother's Heart, Standing the Storm

 Album pick: Beyond
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes


18. Annelies
Why: At just sixteen years old, her voice is instantly striking as well as her image.  In negotiations with major labels and having performed with major UK artists in the past year, fans can hope to here an album from her soon.  She also does the most awesome rendition of 'Song to the Siren'. 

Highlights: Song to the Siren, Per Sempre

 Album pick: Debut album
 Not yet released






17. Yulia
Why: Yulia has a one of a kind voice in the genre.  Newly classified as a mezzo-soprano coloratura (previously a contralto) she's a rare find.  Her repertoire is quite unusual, but despite two number one albums in New Zealand, her back catalogue is hard to find.  Fortunately, she just set up her own record label with manager and husband, Glyn MacLean and has released an independent album.

Highlights: We're All Alone, The Show Must Go On, Into the West, Softly Whispering I Love You, Russia

 Album pick: Mills Reef: Live in Concert
 Official Site Store (handmade signed physical)
 iTunes




16. Micaela Haley
Why: Her music is completely her own sound - and that's what we like best.  She writes her own material, produces it and arranges it.  As an independent artist she has the freedom to do what she wants, and if that includes adding heavy beats to 'Ave Maria' and using strong language during 'Habanera' then so be it. 

Highlights: La Vie En Rose, Ave Maria, How Do You Know, Smile

 Album pick: Syren
 Official Site Store (signed physical)
 Amazon.com
 iTunes



15. Grace Bawden
Why: She's a teenager that is happy to take risks and does not negotiate her artistic vision with industry pressures.  So much so that she declined a major record deal to go independent.  She has bell-like clarity in her soprano vocal and her repertoire varies from pop rock covers to original songs - some written by herself. 

Highlights: Streets of Philadelphia, Cold Outside, Man of Colours, Just Breathe

 Album pick: Gifts of Grace
 Official Website Shop
 iTunes

14. Kanon
Why: Kanon, a singer-pianist from Japan, is quite fascinating.  She takes many Western crossover standards, such as 'Nella Fantasia', 'Time To Say Goodbye' and 'You Raise Me Up' and gives them her own distinct sound.  She also writes the majority of her material.  The only problem is that if you don't live in Japan, she's an expensive discovery to make.

Highlights: キセキ Song of Love, Saga~This is My Road, Brand New Breeze, Kyrie~荒野の果てに

 Album pick: Sanctuary
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Amazon.jp
 YesAsia.com (Japanese Import Specialists)
 CDJapan.jp (Japanese Import Specialists)

13. Diana Yukawa
Why: Born to a British mother and a Japanese father, Yukawa was a child prodigy in Japan, achieving number one albums with purely classical music, but her adulthood as seen her move towards a more accessible pop sound.  Her most recent album is almost a completely original album, and she never runs short of song-writing ideas.

Highlights: Flying, Children, My Instinct, 3000 A.D., Magnolia

 Album pick: The Butterfly Effect
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.jp
 CDJapan.jp
 iTunes



12. Jonathan Ansell
Why: This may sound a tad clichéd, but he really does have a unique sound.  His high tenor voice stands out easily; as readily demonstrated during his time with the vocal troupe, G4.  Seeing him live in concert is the best way to appreciate Ansell.

Highlights: Now We Are Free, Who Wants To Live Forever, Canto Della Terra

 Album pick: Forever
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

11. All Angels
Why: A group of young women at the top of their vocal disciplines is sure to create a beautiful sound.  And so they do.  They all have pure voices coming from different backgrounds and offer innocent interpretations of pop classics and some choral standards.

Highlights: Songbird, The Windmills of Your Mind, The Scientist, Singing You Through, Send in the Clowns, Come Away With Me

 Album pick: Fly Away
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

10. Hayley Griffiths
Why: A soprano that's influenced by new age, celtic, classical and even R'n'B so it's of no surprise that she sounds different to her contemporaries.  She writes all of her own material and it's edgy enough to appeal to a younger audience.  Only try if you like pop music.

Highlights: Separated By Glass, Vanished, Our Love, Mechanical Lives, Blank Canvas

 Album pick: Silver Screen
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 iTunes

9. Russell Watson
Why: Watson is one of the pioneers of classical crossover, and as such, he gets away with singing all the standards - he did do many of them first.  He's had a long and varied career that shows no signs of stopping.  His tenor is demanding, his pop is dreamy and the result is stunning when he uses both ('Miserere' and 'Va, Pensiero').

Highlights: Nella Fantasia, Miserere, You Raise Me up, Barcelona, Funiculí - funiculá, Nessun Dorma, Va, Pensiero, Amore e Musica

 Album pick: Amore Musica
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes
 

8. Thomas Spencer-Wortley 
Why: He has a wonderful combination of theatre and classical, and his composing, arranging and producing brother, Oliver, allows a stream of creativity to enter into Spencer-Wortley's material.  He is also an independent artist and sets a high standard for others without a major record deal. 

Highlights: The Rose, Ave Maria, Credere, Always A Woman

 Album pick: Credere
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

7. Josh Groban
Why: It's a common misconception to assume that Groban is just a balladeer, but his latest albums have shown him to be a real artist, writing a number of his songs, and hand-picking a variety of different artists to work with to produce a wide and eclectic repertoire.

Highlights: To Where You Are, Alla luce Del Sole, When You Say You Love Me, Remember When It Rained, You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), February Song, Awake

 Album pick: Awake
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes


6. Keedie
Why: A voice capable of both operatic and pop vocals, Keedie can appeal to fans of both worlds.  Her pop voice is sweet and pretty, whilst her voice for opera is urgent, passionate and powerful.  The best example of both is her original song My Reason.

Highlights: All Because of You, The Star in You, My Reason, Vissi d'Arte, Intermezzo

 Album pick: I Believe My Heart
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

5. Bad Boy of Opera
Why: There's no album yet, but lucky me has heard six songs from Ki Fitzgerald.  In a nutshell: he's fresh.  The lemon slice of classical crossover.  We welcome him with open arms.  His voice is effortless, his delivery riddled with conviction and he's not afraid of drums and guitars.  The ultimate thumbs up goes to him for writing completely new material.  That's what I like to see.  Or hear.

Highlights: Beautiful Day, Forbidden, With You

 Album pick: Debut album
 Expected release: early 2011 





4. Hayley Westenra
Why: As far as note accuracy goes, Westenra is probably one of the most talented there is.  Always pitch perfect and giving technically flawless performances she will hypnotise those that are fascinated with beautiful voices.  Starting out as a child star, Westenra has really grown into a mature artist over the years and now relishes writing her own material.

Highlights: I'm Kissing You, Dark Waltz, Summer Rain, Prayer, Never Saw Blue, Pokarekare Ana

 Album pick: Pure
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

3. Phillippa Lusty
Why: Lusty is a talented composer, violinist, arranger and not to mention an immensely talented singer.  She's consistently pitch perfect, has fantastic stage presence and writes her own material.  She's the full package and is definitely the one to watch.

Highlights: Please Stay, Guiding Light, Weight of the World, Vanishing

 Album pick: Phillippa Lusty EP
 Lusty has not yet released an album.  You can order her EP through her Myspace.






2. Emma Shapplin
Why: This mysterious soprano is probably the most individualistic singer in classical crossover.  Her albums are the product of a single artistic concept.  Creative, atmospheric and deliciously dark, a stab at Shapplin is definitely a stab at something new for any listener.

Highlights: Spente Le Stelle, Vedi Maria, La Notte Etterna, Spesso Sprofondo

 Album pick: Etterna
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes

1. Sarah Brightman
Why: Brightman is one of the most creative and visual artists in classical crossover and with over 30 years in the business, she's had the time to develop into such.  Often credited as the pioneer of crossover as we know it today, Brightman is also one of the most emulated.  All of her albums differ and she scarcely sticks to one sound from one album to the next.  Her time in music theatre dictates the visual feasts that ensues when she tours.

Highlights: Figlio Perduto, Deliver Me, Time To Say Goodbye, Harem, Heaven Is Here, A Question of Honour, No One Like You, Fleurs Du Mal

 Album pick: La Luna
 Amazon.co.uk
 Amazon.com
 Play.com
 iTunes