Bartoli has three nominations
Bartoli was nominated in three categories at a ceremony in central London on Wednesday, including best female artist, the critics award and best album for Gluck, Italian Arias.
Popular tenor Russell Watson - winner of two awards in 2001 - will compete with Bartoli for best album with Encore.
The Classical Brits, now in their third year, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 23 May.
The event will include performances from Watson, classical female duo the OperaBabes, legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Czech mezzo-soprano, Magdalena Kozena.
Films
Kozena was also nominated for the best female artist award, as was violinist Tasmin Little.
Bocelli was confirmed as the winner of the award for the outstanding contribution to music.
Movie composers Tan Dun, Howard Shore and Hans Zimmer will do battle for the contemporary music award.
Dunn is nominated for the music to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Shore is in the running for his score to The Lord of the Rings.
Zimmer is selected for his music to Hannibal and Gladiator.
Violin virtuoso Chloë Hanslip receives a nomination for young British classical performer of the year.
She will compete against former young musician of the year, Guy Johnston, and fellow violinist Daniel Hope.
Popularity
The winners will be voted for by a panel made up of members of the media, the British Association of Record Dealers, the Musicians Union, industry executives and orchestra leaders.
However, the album of the year will be voted for by listeners of Classic FM.
And a panel of national media will decide the winner of the critics award.
The Classical Brits were established to recognise the outstanding achievements of classical musicians and the growth of classical music sales in the UK.
This year, in a move to help promote classical music, the British Phonographic Industry has set aside tickets for the awards ceremony for 30 UK schools.