Russell Watson at Regent Theatre

In 2008 theSalford born tenor finished radiotherapy for the pituitary tumour that saw him undergoing emergency surgery and he decided to embark on a return to music. He soon found that his treatment had given him not just a fresh outlook on the world, but a whole new, deeper, richer voice. "The thing that I most wanted to achieve has happened. The voice is back. And not only that, but the infrastructure that generates the noise I make, the strength and stamina I need to perform all that incredible material is back. It's been a long road and it's been hard work, but we're there..." The new album, Russell's Ninth, was recorded in June 2010 with the Roma Sinfonietta. Stronger, more driven and powerful, his renditions of some of the most loved songs of all time, including La Viva Senza Te, Mario Lanza's Arrivederci Roma and Speak Softly Love (the theme from The Godfather) are as impressive as you'd expect from a man singing with, literally, a new lease of life after overcoming two life-threatening brain tumours. Special guest on the tour is soprano Greta Bradman. This Sony Music recording artist has been described as one of "Australia's finest young singers" and as an "exceedingly intelligent and perceptive musician" (The Advertiser).