Tim's "world-conquering" Cesare in Sydney

This November, Tim made his long-awaited Australian stage debut as Caesar in Neil Armfield’s production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare at Pinchgut Opera under Erin Helyard. Tim returned to the title role of one of Handel’s greatest operas and his portrayal once again garnered critical acclaim and numerous five-star reviews.

“There are lashings of on-stage chemistry between [Samantha] Clarke and the fine countertenor Tim Mead as a charismatic Caesar… Mead wears this role as easily as Caesar wore his crown of leaves, blazing through his arias with lightning-fast, pinpoint accuracy, contrasting with the exquisite tones and supreme control…”
Limelight

“Tim Mead as Caesar and Samantha Clarke as Cleopatra are world-conquering leads, who, after traversing arias of dizzying virtuosity, fiery passion, languor and despair, come together in a final duet of golden mellifluous grace. These are exciting voices to follow.

Mead cuts loose early in a rage aria of bristling, rapid fire agility… In his subsequent funeral meditations he displays the opposite quality in long notes of glowing rounded depth. In Va tacito in Act 1, he sustained notes of dignified implacability and firmness…”
Sydney Morning Herald

“Tim Mead portrays the Roman general Caesar with regal poise and power in the famous aria Va tacito e nascosto (The clever hunter) from Act 1, and with vulnerability and moral strength in Aure, deh, per pieta (You breezes, ah, have pity) from Act 3. His coloratura is both quick and touching, and his stage presence is strong and charismatic.”
Australian Stage

“Mead heads a first-class supporting cast and shows extraordinary control and rich power in his arias.”
Daily Telegraph

“Caesar, the British countertenor Tim Mead, has established himself at the peak of what is a considerable number of successful international singers of this voice type. He possesses a rich and full sound and a tall, commanding stage presence… His arias provided many vocal highlights, none more so than the superbly majestic Va tacito e nascosto…”
Australian Book Review

“Countertenor Tim Mead in the title role of Caesar immediately drew the audience in with his opening two arias Presti omai l’egizia terra and Empio, diro tu sei with brilliant singing. Throughout the whole opera he not only sang beautifully but he acted through his singing”
classikON

Photo: Brett Boardman