Christopher BarrettThe Royal Albert Hall (cap. 5,272) has appointed Ian Rosenblatt OBE to chair its Capital Appeal, as it seeks to raise £50m to fund a transformation of the venue’s facilities.
Rosenblatt, a lawyer, entrepreneur and former promoter of shows by singers including Juan Diego Florez, Carlos Alvarez and Angel Blue, will lead the campaign to gain financial support to fund widespread improvements to the facilities for artists and audiences at the Grade I listed concert hall.
Royal Albert Hall president James Max said the Capital Appeal marks the next stage in the history and evolution of the venue: “We couldn’t have found a better person to lead our efforts than Ian. His intelligence, energy, and love of music and the arts will help to power a campaign essential for the future health and success of the hall.”
Rosenblatt is a former trustee and chair of the development board at the National Museums Liverpool. He has a history of promoting live music, and in 2000 launched the Rosenblatt Recital Series. He also served as honorary co-treasurer of the Royal Philharmonic Society and as a trustee of the Susan Chilcott Scholarship.
The Royal Albert Hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria and has since hosted a remarkable range of live entertainment from Sumo wrestling to an indoor marathon. Among the renowned figures from across the arts and sciences, politics and sport to appear at the venue are Albert Einstein, Muhammad Ali, Billie Holiday, Giuseppi Verdi, The Beatles and Beyoncé.
The venue was the first to feature as part of the Access All Areas Explores film series that provides a behind-the-scenes insight into the workings of the UK’s best venues.
In another first, the Royal Albert Hall was the first arena to commit to the LIVE Trust, supporting grassroots music across the UK. The Trust was launched in January by LIVE to support grassroots festivals, venues, promoters and artists via a stadium and arena show levy of £1 per ticket on all shows with a capacity of more than 5,000.