Performances
Some highlights
BIRDS OF TOKYO
with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“There’s no doubt the usual Birds dynamic was challenged by the symphonic merger, leading to a more toned down show from bassist Ian Berney and drummer Weston, but that allowed Kenny’s raw talent and stunning vocals along with Sarangapany’s charisma to shine, with a perfect mix with the flawless orchestra, led by composer Vanessa Scammell.“
with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
“The songs from Birds of Tokyo lend themselves magnificently to working with an orchestra and under the deft baton of ethereal conductor Vanessa Scammell, who also lent a hand on the piano, the songs were next level good. Good Lord and I’d Go With You Anywhere had the fans clapping and singing along.”
with West Australian Symphony Orchestra
“The Conductor weaves her wand like a protagonist of a JK Rowling classic, orchestrating a magical spell of an acoustic sensation.”
TO BARBARA, WITH LOVE
with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Maestro Vanessa Scammell leads the musicians with understated flair, drawing grand sound with only the most delicate of gestures. Scammell exhibits extraordinary range, swiftly segueing from style to style with barely a beat to catch her thoughts. Whether the singers are downstage behind her back or far upstage, Scammell maintains tight, yet warmly supportive, control of all on stage. “
with Caroline O’Connor, Katie Noonan, Elise McCann and Ryan Gonzalez and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Conductor Vanessa Scammell is quite the fashion plate herself, an evocative black number showcasing her toned arms as she wields the baton with poise and polish. More to the point, she is on top of her game, as is the MSO … giving us a memorable night of entertainment and a celebration of the inimitable Barbra Streisand, which is to be savoured.”
“Maestro Vanessa Scammell leads the musicians with understated flair, drawing grand sound with only the most delicate of gestures. Scammell exhibits extraordinary range, swiftly segueing from style to style with barely a beat to catch her thoughts. Whether the singers are downstage behind her back or far upstage, Scammell maintains tight, yet warmly supportive, control of all on stage.”
SINGING IN THE RAIN IN CONCERT
at QPAC
“No less impressive was Musical Director, Vanessa Scammell, who gave a meticulously prepared reading of this memorable score. From the orchestral ‘Overture’ and ‘Entr’acte’ through some of the best-known songs, she delivered a varied and infinitely colourful palette of sounds.“
– Arts Hub
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
with The Australian Ballet
“…an ensemble of superlative dancers, including another Australian Ballet soloist, Jake Mangakahia, impressive as Lise Dassin’s partner in the An American in Paris ballet, and of course George and Ira Gershwin lush score, brilliantly adapted and arranged by Rob Fisher, and given a lush performance by an excellent Sydney Orchestra under the attentive baton of Music Director, Vanessa Scammell, and you have a production guaranteed to send you out into the busy Sydney traffic with a spring in your step and perhaps a tear in your eye.“
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ PART 1 IN CONCERT
with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Performed in concert by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Vanessa Scammell, Desplat’s compositions elevate the material in a manner that’s more tangible than watching the film at home.“
– FilmInc
FESTIVAL OF OUTBACK OPERA 2022
with Caroline O’Connor, Katie Noonan, Elise McCann and Ryan Gonzalez and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Audiences at Singing in the Night were immersed in beautiful music enjoying works from composers including Verdi and Puccini and much-loved musical numbers from shows such as South Pacific, and My Fair Lady.
The performances were led by Australian conductor Vanessa Scammell who curated the program with Camerata’s Artistic Director Brendan Joyce.”
– Aruga
CLASSIC ROCK LIVE
with The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
“Classic Rock Live truly unearths the raw power of these rock masterpieces with over 50 musicians on-stage with the ASO conducted by the acclaimed Vanessa Scammell and arrangements by the award-winning Jamie Messenger.”
– HIFIWAY
THE BAMBOOS
with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Having the opportunity to perform our music on stage with the full Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer hall is really the stuff that dreams are made of. After such a challenging 2020 in Melbourne I feel like these hometown shows are going to be extra cathartic for all involved and so rest assured we’ll be pulling out ALL the stops.”
PETER AND JACK
with Barry Humphries and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
“Conductor Vanessa Scammell expertly handles the complexities of various musical styles and innumerable cues, whilst drawing from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, impassioned performances of music.”
BROADWAY TO LA SCALA
with the Adelaide Symphony
“A hauntingly beautiful You’ll Never Walk Alone led to a well-deserved standing ovation for the performers and for Musical Director Vanessa Scammell who not only led the sensational Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with energy and restraint as needed, but also possesses the most sculpted ‘set of guns’ ever seen onstage.”
SOUTH PACIFIC
Opera Australia
“From the overture, and the tender opening scene between Emile De Becque (Teddy Tahu Rhodes) and Nellie Forbush (Lisa McCune), the show is already a joy to behold; the 33-piece orchestra, led by Vanessa Scammell, soars.”
HELLO DOLLY
The Production Company
“The tight orchestra is heard at their very best under the exacting baton of musical director Vanessa Scammell. “
SWEENEY TODD
A TEG Life Like Company production
“The orchestra, under the excellent baton of Musical Director Vanessa Scammell, delivers Sondheim’s sometimes operatic and demanding, sharp, dark and spiky score magnificently.”
JECKYL and HYDE
Concertworks
Maestro Vanessa Scammell again illustrates her flair for musical theatre, her meticulous work allowing the score to be heard at its very best. Orchestral music is rich and lush, and vocal harmonies are expertly realised.”
THE MERRY WIDOW
with West Australian Opera
“Taryn Fiebig made her long-overdue company debut as Hanna under the baton of Vanessa Scammell, WA Opera’s first female conductor.”
with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House
“Conductor Vanessa Scammell achieves a delightful Viennese sound, having the strings play with disciplined uniformity and maintaining a gossamer-light touch throughout the other instruments. Scammell’s pristine work allows the hummable tunes to be heard at their very best.”
DARK SKY SERENADE & SINGING IN THE NIGHT
with Opera Queensland, Festival of Outback Opera
“All the pieces in the repertoire that Conductor Vanessa Scammell, Camerata and Opera Queensland chose are beautiful.”
