His first major break was going on to sing Almaviva at ENO whilst covering, and then performing the same role in two tours with WNO.
Although primarily known for his bel canto interpretations, Banks has a diverse repertoire, singing the music of Bach, Britten, Handel, Mozart, Berg, Stravinsky (including one of his signature roles, that of Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress) Rimsky-Korsakov, Elgar and Gilbert and Sullivan to name but a few.
Banks is a regular stage artist throughout Europe singing at houses including ROH, Paris Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, Bayerische Staatsoper, Berlin Staatsoper, Frankfurt Opera, Stuttgart Opera, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, La Monnaie, Brussels, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, and Teatro San Carlo in Naples.
Most recently, Banks' engagements include the Bayerische Staatsoper as Don Narciso (Il turco in Italia), Count Almaviva (Il barbiere di Siviglia) at The Metropolitan Opera where he was praised by his nuanced and agile singing[2] and Lucia di Lammermoor for ENO.
Last season saw his debut at La Scala, Milan with a 10th Anniversary Concert as a memorial to the World Trade Center disaster and a performance of Benjamin Britten's A War Requiem.