POPULAR classical music gets its very own extravaganza in Dorset this weekend.

For three nights the Serenata festival at Kimmeridge is bringing the cream of the pop-classical crop to the county.

Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson and the classical fab four Blake headline the event that also includes plenty for families and boutique camping facilities.

“Serenata will be a bit like a classical Glastonbury, I’m really looking forward to it,” said Russell who will be headlining the closing night on Saturday.

“I don’t know why it has taken so long for something like this to be organised. I think more people have been introduced to classical music in the past 10 years by people who are more accessible, like Katherine Jenkins and Il Divo. They have really helped to open the door to classical music to the general public and young people.”

The tenor’s rise from obscurity as a metal worker to the pinnacle of the popular classics has been well documented.

This year marks a decade since Russell released his first album The Voice and to celebrate the anniversary, this autumn sees the release of the album Il Voce, which he sung entirely in Italian accompanied by the Roma Sinfon-ietta – Ennio Morricone’s orchestra of choice.

“It is a tip of the cap to my first record, as it’s been 10 years for the tenor,” said Russell, breaking off from recording to chat about where his life is at now.

“I am thrilled with how it is going and I think it is the best record I have ever made. There will be an extensive tour of the UK with the record at some point next year and I will also be focusing on my international fanbase, which will be great.”

Having a decade of success behind him and bright future is all the sweeter for Russell who has had to contend with two brain tumours and surgery in recent years.

“They really knocked the stuffing out of me,” said Russell. “People have asked whether I wondered if I would ever sing again but to be honest, I was more concerned about whether I would see or breathe again.

“I don’t know how difficult it was for my family but it must have been really tough and dispiriting for them. But over the past 12 months I have been more of a survivor than a victim, with a different outlook on life.

“Every day is precious, but there is an initial euphoric state when you come out of something like that and you want to live every day as if it is your last but you realistically can’t maintain that because you would just burn out. I have calmed down a bit since then.”