A New Irish Opera, "Hunger" — JerseyArts.com Feature Stories

Nov 16

Nov 16 A New Irish Opera, "Hunger"

Princeton University Fund for Irish Studies

"Hunger" is a new work based on old Irish songs and first-hand accounts of Ireland’s Great Famine of 1845-1852. It's an opera in the sense that it tells a big story through music. The composer, Donnacha Dennehy, and the lead singer, Iarla Ó Lionáird, join producer Susan Wallner to discuss singing in Irish and the connection between the dark times of the Great Famine and today’s world. The Princeton University Fund for Irish Studies presents excerpts from "Hunger" and a discussion with Donnacha and Iarla on Friday, November 18 at 4:30 pm at the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University.

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Susan Wallner

Susan Wallner is a principal of PCK Media, an independent production company. She is the co-series producer of the public television program "State of the Arts," a job that has introduced her to a wealth of talent and artistic diversity over the years. Susan's documentaries and performance specials have aired nationally. Most recently, her profile of the writer, aviator and celebrity, "Anne Morrow Lindbergh: You’ll Have the Sky," won the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Best Feature Writing (it was Susan's 15th regional Emmy win). Narrated by Judith Light and Lily Rabe, it aired throughout the country on PBS and PBS World, and is available on DVD. Currently, Susan is working on a documentary about the self-taught city planner, builder, and artist, Kea Tawana.