Crossword Genius

He conducted opera back in Northern Ireland (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

toscanini

'he conducted' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'opera back in northern ireland' is the wordplay.
'opera' becomes 'tosca' (Giacomo Puccini opera).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'northern ireland' becomes 'NI' (abbreviation).
'in' reversed gives 'ni'.
'tosca'+'ni'+'ni'='TOSCANINI'

(Other definitions for toscanini that I've seen before include "Old conductor" , "Maestro" , "Music director" , "He conducted" , "Virtuoso conductor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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