Caitlin Hulcup's interpretation of Idamante in Mozart's Idomeneo at Opera Australia in Sydney Opera House has been highly commended by critics. She's previously performed the role at Teatro Nacional de São Carlosin Lisbon and Garsington Opera.
The young lovers Idamante and Ilia are also beautifully rendered by mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup and soprano Celeste Lazarenko respectively… Hulcup’s voice is rich yet flexible, ensuring a lightness of touch throughout.
Jansson J. Antmann, Limelight
Caitlin Hulcup, who creates a highly plausible young hero unembarrassed by his tender side. Hulcup delivers one of the night's strongest performances with a bright voice of coloured radiance and elegant smoothness
Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald
In the pants role, as Idomeneo’s son Idamante, Caitlin Hulcup is not only vocally and visually striking, but also successful in investing her characterisation with a touching depth, particularly when Idamante expresses his anguish at his father’s reflection in the aria Il padre adorato (My beloved father).
Bill Stephens, Australian Arts Review
Australian mezzosoprano Caitlin Hulcup, who has built an impressive reputation overseas as well as appearing with Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera and Victorian Opera, is convincing in the “breeches” role of the prince with her clear and smooth tessitura and engaging acting skills. She also has good chemistry with soprano Celeste Lazerenko
Steve Moffatt, The Daily Telegraph Australia
Caitlin Hulcup’s Idamante was a noble young man of impeccable character.
Deborah Jones, Opera Magazine
Australian mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup was completely convincing in the ‘trouser role’ of Idamante
Gordon Williams, OperaWire
Hulcup musically offered a wonderful rendition and was rewarded with great cheers at the curtain call. The audience loved her.
Annabelle Drumm, Sydney Arts Guide
Caitlin Hulcup, in the role of Idamante, matches Schade's intensity, bringing a raw and compelling depth to the character that resonates long after the curtain falls.
Geeta Pillai, BNN Breaking
But it is the riveting singing of Caitlin Hulcup in the pants role of Idamante that comes close to stealing the show. Clad in contemporary boyish garb (costumes by Anna Cordingley) and very natural in her acting, Hulcup’s penetrating voice took one’s breath away.
Helen Musa, City News Australia
I have to say that Caitlin did the role brilliantly.
Beatriz Copello, El Español
A highlight is the sublime love duet ‘Sio non moro a questi accenti’, where both women Idamante (Caitlin Hulcup) and Ilia (Celeste Lazarenko) sing like matching butterflies in the same voice-range.
David Spicer, Stage Whispers
The young lovers Idamente and Ilia were also beautifully sung by mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup and soprano Celeste Lazarenko, respectively. Both brought a lightness in moments of adoration and depth to their character’s raw emotions.
Antoinette Milienos, The Plus Ones
Hulcup’s voice was clear and effective, and her projection was delightfully natural; there was none of the screeching that tends to follow from sopranos’ desire to wow when ascending into the upper register
Aryan Mohseni, State of the Art
Performances run until 15 March 2024.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders
