Ian founded the recitals in 1999, when Rosenblatt sponsored the concert given by José Cura with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and he realised that in Britain we get the opportunity only infrequently to hear truly great voices unless at large scale performance or production.

The recitals, now in their ninth season, have attracted many tremendous artists to Britain, some of whom are already world-renowned and others who are just embarking on major international careers. They feature well-known arias, and often incorporate traditional.

They offer people the chance to hear performers such as Jose Cura, Carlos Alvarez, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Juan Diego Florez, Dennis O’Neill, Joseph Calleja, Tatiana Lisnic, Barabara Fritolli and Nicole Cabell at reasonably regular intervals, in venues such as the Cadogan Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and St John’s, Smith Square.

Full details of this season’s programme are available at www.rosenblattrecitalseries.co.uk