TENOR Ian Storey likes to give something back to the community where he lives.

He has twice gathered a group of his friends - among them some of the finest voices in the world - and sang in Hereford Cathedral on behalf of the Rotary Club of Hereford Wye Valley for Acorns Children's Hospice.

This year's concert raised £2,000 and Ian is in the process of releasing a CD of the evening's performance to increase that figure.

He was awarded a Rotary Centenary Award on the night, in recognition of his support for the organisation.

Having spent six years in New Zealand at the beginning of his career, Ian loves open spaces. When he moved back to the UK, he fell in love with Herefordshire, where he lives with wife, Bridgette, and son, Jack.

"It never crossed my mind to live somewhere else," he said.

He spends half the year travelling the globe, singing tenor leads at the world's major opera houses.

In Britain, his singing schedule takes him to Cardiff, Bristol, London and Edinburgh, where he sings with Scottish Opera.

A cabinet-maker by trade, Ian has spent the past two years extending his family home.

"The only place I would rather live is Tuscany," he says, "And the only way I could move would be to load up two pantechnicons at Jewsons, and drive over. I could never wait for Italian builders to build me a house!"

He's a man who pushes things forward.

The first time Ian sang Puccini in its native Italian, he didn't speak a word of the language.

"Everybody helps, stops and explains when you've got it wrong," he says.

He has sung at all of the major opera houses in Italy, except for Florence and Rome, where he has been invited to sing this year.

There are fewer operas within the British repertoire and the remuneration is fourfold abroad.

Most big-name opera singers in Britain work abroad, although Ian enjoys working with Welsh National Opera - which he describes as having a real family feel - Scottish Opera - where he started his career - and Covent Garden - which pays international rates.

He's not a fan of ENO, which performs in English, because he finds it makes sense to sing in the language of origin.

"It's also a business decision," he said.

"Why spend time learning a new opera in one language when you can then only sing them in the UK?

"Compared to Italy's 14 major opera houses, and 120-130 smaller ones, Britain has just six.

"Opera just isn't as ingrained in our culture but it's interesting that Britain produces some of the best singers."

As he travels the world, Ian often finds himself the only English-speaking member of a cast.

Used to the isolated lifestyle, he enjoys taking photographs and reading during time off.

Having stood-in at the eleventh hour for Domingo, the two became good friends and the superstar has gone on to give Ian quite a lot of work, under his direction.

"The days of fat people standing on stage singing have gone," Ian said.

"Like sport, you channel your nervous energy into an aggressive will to succeed.

"The most important thing is for the audience to leave feeling like they've had a good time."

Coming home to Herefordshire is his holiday.

"Opening night parties are not my scene," he said.

"Being at home, seeing the views and being with family are my favourite things."

He is due to perform An evening with Ian Storey at Lucton School this Sunday, to raise money for the refurbishment of the school swimming pool so that local cerebral palsy sufferers can use the facilities.

For tickets call the school on 01568 782000 or Andy Black on 07802 907493.