Caitlin Hulcup’s debut for Welsh National Opera as Iseult in Frank Martin’s seldom-performed Le vin herbé has earned her the praise of the critics, who particularly noted the intensity and radiance of her performance:
“Caitlin Hulcup is a revelation, wonderfully intense as Iseult the Fair.”
Richard Morrison, The Times
“Caught between overwhelming passion and chivalric duty, Tristan and Iseult - sublimely sung by Tom Randle and Caitlin Hulcup - can neither live nor die without the other.”
Steph Power, The Independent *****
“Caitlin Hulcup is a magnificent Iseult. Her voice has an expressive richness throughout her mezzo range.”
Rhian Evans, The Guardian *****
“Caitlin Hulcup as Iseult sings with unassailable intensity, especially in the moment she crosses the stage saying she always loved Tristan most. Her voice is in stark contrast to what happens to her – it seems that it could survive anything.”
Kate Kellaway, The Observer
“Caitlin Hulcup as Iseult preserved a movingly chaste, untouchable quality.”
Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph ****
“A fine cast is headed by the strong Tristan of Tom Randle and magnetic Iseult of Caitlin Hulcup, vocally radiant ...”
Richard Fairman, Financial Times
“But the bulk of the evening’s burden falls on Tom Randle’s austere, troubled Tristan and Caitlin Hulcup’s eloquent Iseult, and they do not disappoint, their finely tuned performances perfectly matching the subtlety and discrimination of Martin’s delicate score.”
George Hall, The Stage
“Hulcup, in particular, sings with a poignancy and strength that improves throughout the piece, the physically frenzied scenes on the ship as she tries frantically to meet with the dying Tristan being exceptionally moving.”
The Reviews Hub
“His beloved Iseult is sung, radiantly, by mezzo Caitlin Hulcup.”
Mark Valencia, What’s On Stage ****
Performances run until 25 April 2017.
