Presented by Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall, the evenings will pay homage to "George Gershwin, the big band era and the razzmatazz of the thirties."

Derek Deane will direct Strictly Gershwin, which will feature arrangements by Gareth Valentine.

Guest artists will include Tamara Rojo (June 9-12), June Friedmann Vogel (first eight performances) and Guillaume Côté (June 9-12) with guest pianist Jonathan Scott, guest tappers Douglas Mills and Paul Robinson and the Maida Vale Singers. Howard Harrison is the lighting designer.

Concertgoers can expect to hear such Gershwin tunes as "An American in Paris," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Summertime," "Strike up the Band," "Someone to Watch over Me," "'S Wonderful," "Shall We Dance" and "I Got Rhythm."

Maria Friedman won Olivier Awards for her roles in Passion, Ragtime and the earlier version of her concert show, By Special Arrangement. Other leading roles include appearances in the West End in Chicago, Blues in the Night and The Woman in White (subsequently re-creating her performance at Broadway's Marquis Theatre), as well as Lady in the Dark and Sunday in the Park with George, both at the National Theatre. For ticket information visit www.royalalberthall.com.