LEIGH-born singer Riccardo Simonetti will return to his roots when he appears in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers at the Lowry.

Having studied at the Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music, Riccardo has performed across the UK and Europe with top opera companies including English National Opera.

Riccardo will play Guiseppe in the romantic tale of two gondoliers who have both got married when they discover one is the King of Barataria, but nobody knows which. The light-hearted production, romantically set in Italy, includes favourite songs such as Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes and Regular Royal Queen.

The Gondoliers is showing at the Lowry from October 1-5.