'Baebes lower the tone of classical music'

Leading British baritone Sir Thomas Allen has launched a withering attack on what he sees as the dumbing down of classical music.

In a thinly veiled dig at classical performers such as Bond, the Mediaeval Baebes and Charlotte Church, he said the public were in danger of being "hoodwinked" into believing they were the best the medium had to offer.

At the 13th Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards at the Dorchester last night, Sir Thomas said: "I'm sick and tired of hearing of those performers who talk of their life's work to bring the classics to a wider public.

"I don't want Gregorian babes. And the idea of a wet T-shirted quartet, where once was the Amadeus, has me reaching for the sea-sick pills."

Sir Thomas added that he recognised he was likely to stir up controversy but wanted to stimulate debate.