Wow! The Voice is back — and boy, did Russell Watson demonstrate the fact in spectacular style on Monday evening.

With no hint of the health problems that have dogged him for the past few years, he took to the stage and instantly captivated the audience with classics from some of his earlier albums, along with numbers from his most recent release, La Voce, all delivered with incredible energy, drama and passion.

It’s been said that Russell’s voice has improved since his two life-saving operations, and he certainly has a huge range both in pitch and timbre, from rumbling bass notes to powerfully resonant upper notes.

But Russell’s talent doesn’t just lie in his singing; he also has a natural skill for engaging with his audience, and does so with great warmth and humour. This wasn’t so much a concert, more of a huge, friendly party, with a wonderful interplay across the footlights. Favourite aria Volare featured Russell’s now-famous disappearing act into the audience, as well as a chance to sing along (“That’s the best I’ve heard all tour — mind you, this is only the second date!”), while another favourite, Funiculi, Funicula, was clap-along time.

But there were more serious moments, too — such as Ave Maria, dedicated to his grandmother, who passed away earlier this year, and tender love songs such as I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You and Somewhere.

Promising young singer Mary-Jeffs duetted with him in Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera and The Prayer, and he was supported throughout by the excellent Arts Symphonic orchestra, the eight-piece choir Capital Voices and the curiously bare-footed conductor, Robert D.C. Emery.

But the night was all about Russell, and his final offering, a powerful rendition of Nessun Dorma, drew a standing ovation. The evening finished several encores later. There is no doubt about it — the Voice is well and truly back.