Classical Crossover Music: 7 Classical Crossover Artists

Classical crossover is popular music recorded or performed in a classical music style. Classical crossover music may feature operatic vocals, orchestral instruments, arrangements typically associated with classical music, or modern renditions of classical pieces. Classical crossover songs can adhere to a strict interpretation of a classical piece, an altogether unique arrangement that frames a classical piece in a new manner, or original music that musicians conceive and perform in a classical style.

The term “classical crossover” came into prominence in the 1990s when Billboard, a music industry trade magazine, granted the genre its own chart. Numerous recordings from the mid-twentieth century also belong to the genre.

Here are some notable examples of classical crossover songs:

1. 1. “Pie Jesu” (1985): Andrew Lloyd Webber featured this stately adaptation of “Pie Jesu,” an independent movement from the Catholic Requiem Mass, in his 1985 composition Requiem. Numerous crossover artists have recorded the track, including frequent Webber collaborator Sarah Brightman, who scored a UK chart hit in 1985, and Charlotte Church, Katherine Jenkins, and Jackie Evancho.
2. 2. “The Prayer” (1998): Originally, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion recorded this song as individual Italian- and English-language tracks, respectively, for the soundtrack to the 1998 animated feature Quest for Camelot. But “The Prayer,” which earned the singers Golden Globe, Grammy, and Oscar nominations, proved so popular that the duo recorded a new duet version, which appeared on Dion’s 1998 Christmas album, These Are Special Times, and Bocelli’s 1999 release, Sogno.
3. 3. “Brave” (2012): Josh Groban’s soaring single “Brave,” from his sixth studio album, All That Echoes, further bridged the gap between classical and pop music. Co-written by Groban, Thomas Salter, and Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, the single reached No. 13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts in 2012.

There are numerous classical crossover artists, including:

1. 1. Andrea Bocelli: Several pop vocalists are also classical crossover singers. Chief among them is Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, whose re-recording of “Time to Say Goodbye” (a duet with British soprano Sarah Brightman) is one of the best-selling singles in the world. He has also recorded duets with Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Tony Bennett, and fellow classical crossover artists Katherine Jenkins and Josh Groban.
2. 2. Enrico Caruso: One of the world’s first classical crossover artists, operatic tenor Enrico Caruso was a star on the international stage from the late nineteenth century to the early 1920s. He played lead roles in more than seventy Italian and French operas at many of the great opera houses worldwide and recorded more than 200 phonographs. Caruso’s global fame benefited greatly from the expanded word-of-mouth publicity afforded by two technological marvels of his day: the telephone and telegraph.
3. 3. Charlotte Church: Welsh-born vocalist Charlotte Church became the youngest performer to score a No. 1 album on the classical crossover charts with her debut release, Voice of an Angel, which she recorded at twelve. Church has enjoyed success in various musical styles, from religious and traditional tunes to pop and jazz to Broadway, before segueing into alternative rock, acting, and television presenting.
4. 4. Josh Groban: Singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban’s brand of operatic pop has sold 25 million albums worldwide, making him one of the music industry’s most popular classical crossover artists for more than two decades. The Grammy and Tony Award nominee rose to fame when he stepped in for an ailing Andrea Bocelli to perform with Celine Dion at the 1998 Grammy Awards. He’s since recorded nine studio albums, performed on Broadway, and starred in his own comedy series on Netflix, The Good Cop.
5. 5. Katherine Jenkins: Mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins received worldwide acclaim after her 2003 performance at the celebration of Pope John Paul II’s twenty-fifth anniversary as head of the Catholic Church. The singer has released several critically and commercially praised albums and performed with Andrea Bocelli, Plácido Domingo, and the Blue Man Group.
6. 6. Yo-Yo Ma: Classical crossover success is not limited to classical vocalists. Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, whose recordings range from Beethoven cello sonatas to soundtracks and collaborations with pop singers like Sting and James Taylor, has enjoyed commercial success throughout his decades-long career. The renowned cellist has recorded nearly 100 albums, won more than a dozen Grammy awards, and in 2020, Time magazine honored the cellist by naming him one of the most influential people in the world.
7. 7. Vanessa-Mae: Violinist Vanessa-Mae has enjoyed chart success with both classical music and pop songs. In 1991, at the age of thirteen, the violinist became a Guinness World Record holder for being the youngest solo artist to record Tchaikovsky and Beethoven violin concertos. The instrumentalist also played violin on Janet Jackson’s critically acclaimed 1997 album, The Velvet Rope.

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