The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has attacked “musical snobbery” after discovering an orchestral version of the band’s rock opera Quadrophenia will not be allowed in the classical chart.

The album, which features vocals by Les Miserables star Alfie Boe alongside the London Oriana Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is a reworking of the band’s 1973 album. It was released today (June 8).

Alfie Boe
Alfie Boe appears in classical renditions of The Who’s Quadrophenia album (Yui Mok/PA)

Pete, who wrote many of the mod band’s biggest hits, said: “Classic Quadrophenia not allowed in UK Classical Charts? Musical snobbery in the classical elite still alive and kicking then. F*** ‘em.”

The album, which follows the story of a young mod called Jimmy, inspired a 1979 film with Phil Daniels as Jimmy and a supporting cast including Leslie Ash and Sting.

A spokeswoman for the Official Charts Company said: “Classic Quadrophenia will be treated like any other album of contemporary music recorded in a classical style.

The Who's Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend
The Who’s Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

“The industry-agreed Official Chart rules stipulate clearly that to qualify for the Official Classical Chart, each album will be judged on the works performed on the album – and that these works must be composed by recognised classical composers and/or in a publicly-recognised classical idiom or form.

“The album will qualify for the Official Albums Chart, however – we wish it all the best.”