Carly Paoli, the rising classical singer who provided the voice for Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy, has been shortlisted for the first ever Classic BRIT Awards’ Sound of Classical poll.
The winner of the historical award will be revealed at the Classic BRIT Awards on 13th June and will collect it in person during the Classic BRIT Awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London, to be broadcast on ITV.
Ms Paoli said she had to pinch herself when she found out she had been nominated for the award.
“I’ve been thanking the Lord ever since I received this incredible and completely joyous news,” Ms Paoli told The Universe. “Since I was a little girl, I dreamt about singing and sharing my music with an audience. Now that my dreams have come true, I hope other young people can be inspired to follow theirs. I am so excited, so grateful and so thrilled by this prestigious nomination.”
Signed to the independent London-based record company ABIAH, Ms Paoli released her debut album Singing My Dreams in 2017. The record charted at number two on the UK’s Official Classical Albums chart, while earning five star reviews.
The album features Ms Paoli’s debut single Ave Maria, the track chosen as the official song of the Holy Father’s 2016 Jubilee celebrations, which Ms Paoli previously told The Universe was the biggest honour she had received to date.
Ms Paoli, from Mansfield, recently performed a headline concert at London’s Cadogan Hall.
She studied at Tring Park and The Royal Northern College of Music and has worked with Jose Carreras, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster. She has also performed alongside stars including Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Hudson and was invited to perform for the pope and the Prince of Wales.
As previously reported in The Universe, Ms Paoli recently signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. Her songwriting credits on Singing My Dreams include co-writes with Ennio and Andrea Morricone and James Horner having written English lyrics for Se Tu Fossi (Cinema Paradiso) and the theme from Legends of the Fall which now bears the title Memory of You.
Picture: Carly Paoli. (Republic Media).