Oh stuff the critics. I don't care. Too many people are snooty about classical. Look I wasn't brought up in a home where we listened to classical music. It was a singing teacher that thought it would be best for my voice. Then I moved into crossover. And if that makes the music accessible to more people then great.
When you take a stand out of deep conviction people know. They may not even agree but they ask 'Do I want someone who is willing to take a hard stand and someone I can trust to do that when the chips are down?' They want that.