There’s not a lot Riccardo Massi doesn’t know about Radamès in Verdi’s Aida. It is the role in which he made his professional operatic debut in 2009 at the Teatro Verdi in Salerno, and also his debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 2012. He has since sung it at various venues including a new production at the Houston Grand Opera and a return season at the Met last year among others.

As Radamés in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera in 2017. Photograph supplied

Now he is in Australia to play the part in Opera Australia’s new production, directed and choreographed by Davide Livermore, which uses a spectacular all-digital set. Opening in Sydney tonight, Massi stars opposite Amber Wagner as Aida and Elena Gabouri as Amneris.

The Italian tenor is familiar to OA audiences, having played Don Alvaro in La Forza del Destino, Rodolfo in Luisa Miller, Cavaradossi in Tosca, and Calaf in Turandot on the outdoor Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production.

“I’m so happy about this because every time I come back to Australia, it’s like coming home for me. People here are so warm and welcoming and laid back, and it’s so easy to...