Performer: Dimitri Platanias

Questionable conducting aside, The Royal Opera's latest revival of Damiano Michieletto’s fluid production of the famous operatic double-bill is terrifically executed by two excellent casts.

With more cast reshuffles than in Downing Street of late, this revival of Damiano Michieletto's intertwined Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci double bill triumphs against the odds.

The French-Sicilian tenor shines in Sir David's McVicar's pristine take on Umberto Giordano's slice of verismo. 

Tenor-turned-director José Cura transplants the action from southern Italy to Buenos Aires. 

The father-daughter exchanges between Dmitri Platanias's jester and Sofia Fomina's Gilda prove the highlights of an evening which doesn't always catch fire.

Verdi voices that make one sit up and listen made this a memorable matinee.

Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias is currently singing Rigoletto at Covent Garden. He explains what it means to be a Verdi baritone and talks about his favourite roles.