NEW For 2025! Cosi Fan Tutte. Check venues near you.

Vanessa Woodward

Cast Members > Vanessa Woodward
Vanessa Woodward

Vanessa Woodward

Contralto / Artistic Director & Co-founder

Accomplished Classical Singer and Versatile Performer

Vanessa originally studied music at Colchester Institute and later gained an advanced postgraduate diploma (voice) from Trinity College of Music, where she was awarded the Wilfred Greenhouse prize for Oratorio and Cantata. Vanessa studies singing with Quentin Hayes. Her early professional career was as a singer/guitarist in rock and folk bands, before resuming her classical singing career. She is experienced as an oratorio soloist and also enjoys Lieder and 20th century British Song. With Opera Anywhere, Vanessa has performed in some unusual situations, including performing ‘soap opera scenes’ on ITV’s ‘This Morning’! Operatic roles include Nireno / Giulio Cesare (Handel Opera Company), Princess / Suor Angelica, Popova / The Bear by Walton (‘In Tune’, BBC Radio 3), Baba / The Medium, Miss Baggot / The Little Sweep, Miss Todd / The Old Maid and the Thief and 3rd lady/3rd boy / The Magic Flute.

Productions

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute

The Mikado

The Mikado

H.M.S Pinafore

H.M.S Pinafore

Iolanthe

Iolanthe

The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance

Amahl & the Night Visitors

Amahl & the Night Visitors

Opera’s Heroines & Sister Angelica

Opera’s Heroines & Sister Angelica

Patience

Patience

The Magic of Opera

The Magic of Opera

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro

Trial by Jury

Trial by Jury

What Our Audience Say

☆☆☆☆☆

Annabel

The Magic of Opera on punts in Oxford was a real highlight of the summer. Wonderful singing in a gorgeous setting, enjoyed by adults and children alike. A really joyful event (and no one fell in!).

Angie

I have always enjoyed Gilbert and Sullivan operas I have seen performed by Opera Anywhere. Their productions are innovative and adaptable to the venue (they really do seem to perform anywhere!) whilst still retaining the essence of Gilbert and Sullivan's clever words and beautiful music.

Tom from Worcester

We saw Pirates of Penzance in a magical rural setting outside Bromyard. Gilbert and Sullivan, a picnic, on the lawn, a beautiful manor house with views across the valley: what could be more English than that? Our 5 and 7 year olds loved it and were humming the tunes for the rest of the summer!

Miranda

Such a joyous performance in an unusual setting. Excellent singing and lively skipping about, never a dull moment, well done! PS the fairy queen deserves a new frock

Felicity

Seen at Beccles, Suffolk. Really enjoyable evening. I was sitting next to some G&S newbies who were enchanted. The switch of settings was well handled - though I think it a pity that keeping it set in Japan is not considered good form. Look forward to seeing you again in Beccles in December and hope you make many returns to the area.

Felicity

Saw this at Thorington theatre - outdoors and in the pouring rain. Great fun, the performers didn't look one bit downcast despite dancing through puddles. Well sung and acted. I went home soaking wet but it was worth every drop.

Marie, Simonsbath Festival

I think I can safely say that thanks to Opera Anywhere everyone went away last night with a spring in their step and a smile on their face

Anne

Opera Anywhere have an amazing schedule ahead, lots of lucky people have a treat to come, it was a fabulous performance

Audience Member

Can’t better G&S for some huge fun and brilliant music, delivered by Opera Anywhere with great panache! Loved it, still laughing at all the people on the list who never would be missed!