Composer Donnacha Dennehy’s opera about the Great Famine of 1845—52 brings together new music and old Irish songs, featuring ensemble Alarm Will Sound, folk singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, and soprano Katherine Manley. Context is everything, so get even closer to the production with this curated selection of related articles and videos. After you've attended the show, let us know what you thought by posting in the comments below and on social media using #TheHungerOpera.
Program Notes
Read
Interview
Tom Creed Talks About Directing Opera and Theatre
Ireland’s Civic Theatre interviews director Tom Creed about his work with opera, and his love of The Great British Bake Off.
Article
Protestant New Yorker Who Saved Hundreds of Irish Famine Victims
A fascinating deep dive into the life of Asenath Nicholson, an American missionary whose wrenching firsthand account Annals of the Irish Famine serves as the opera’s primary source text.
Article
Excerpts from Alarm Will Sounds's performance of The Hunger
A glimpse into the music of The Hunger alongside an informative historical summary.
Watch & Listen
Podcast
Donnacha Dennehy: Composing With Frequency
Donnacha Dennehy discusses his penchant for fusing old (sean-nós and other Irish folk styles) and new music with WQXR’s “Meet the Composer.”
Video
Sean-nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird interprets “The Lament of the Three Marys.” (YouTube)
A haunting and beautiful rendition of the traditional Irish song.
Now your turn...
What did you think? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below and on social media using #TheHungerOpera.