Big names Tenor singer Russell Watson has been successful in terms of sales while Sir Simon Rattle is Britain's most celebrated current conductor. Among composers, Nicholas Maw was nominated for a Mercury in 2000.

Rising stars Violinist Chloe Hanslip, 15, was named best young performer at the 2003 Classical Brit Awards while cellist Guy Johnston, 22, is a former BBC Musician of the Year.

Who listens? The largest part of the audience is older, more affluent and living in the south.

Evolution Classical music comes from a European tradition - one of which the UK has never really been at the centre. Henry Purcell, who lived in the 17th Century, is regarded as the greatest composer England has produced. But his death aged 36 put a stop to the development of a specifically English identity until Edward Elgar emerged 200 years later. William Walton and Benjamin Britten refined the British style while John Tavener, Michael Nyman and Nicholas Maw - all past Mercury nominees - have carried the traditions into the 21st Century.

In recent years, a debate has raged over young artists like Bond, The Planets and Russell Watson, whose populist music has been dismissed by purists for not being "real" classical music .