Page 13 - Irish Examiner USA

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provide a source for the theme. — and that is when the idea of
While this period of Irish history is Fainne Oir came to be. Throughout IRISH
acknowledged and recognized the this story, through the sacrifices
world over, it’s rarely spoken about, made the permanency of this valu-
and the many success stories that fol- able golden ring, literally becomes EXAMINER
lowed from it.” the ring that saved the lives of an
As Fahey explained, “I refer here entire family and brought them
to the diaspora and particularly the around the world. Without a Fainne |
many successive generations of Irish Oir, this famine-stricken clan would-
Americans, Irish in Britain and n’t have survived.” August
Australia and throughout the world, Composer/co-producer Fahey has
who left our shores to survive and worked with choirs since she was 12, 28th,
make it, who sent money back home both teaching and as an accompanist
and kept their familes alive. They did at local churches and weddings. At 2019
Ireland so proud through their hard 18, she began teaching piano and
work, dedication and ambition soon was training her first adult
Because of that, we have hundreds of choir. Now she’s directing of several
thousands of inspirational Irish peo- award-winning choirs including:
ple and leaders abroad, who we can Castlebar Gospel Choir,
be so proud of today.” Vocalessence Ladies Choir, Ev’ry
The Mayo-based musical Voice Community Choir, The
cognoscenti added, “In creating this Troubadours, Vox Fusion, Belcarra
story around the Famine, I especially Local Parish Choir and Children’s
liked the idea that it was old Ireland. Choir. In 2017, Fahey was appointed
of course, while it was a profoundly Mayo Concert Orchestra conductor.
sad time for people due to the starva- Under her direction, her choral
tion, death, and tragedy of it all, groups have performed in such pres-
there were also happy elements to it. tigious places as Dublin Castle, the
Families worked so closely together American Ambassador’s Residence,
as unified groups, to support and National Concert Hall, Christ
protect each other and simply, to Church Cathedral the Late Late Toy
stay alive. Community was very Show. Given all her history, it’s fit-
important.” ting that she turned to the Mayo
As to the naming of the project Concert Orchestra to be the first to
“Fainne Oir,” Fahey recalled, “In the perform this new work.
back of my mind, I thought that the In co-producing Fainne Oir’s
musical composition and storyline world premiere in Ireland, Hannon
needed to be about more than a love also launched the County Mayo and Boston including “An evening Oir is the addition of noted Dublin-
story. Something needed to bind it Foundation, a US registered not for with Pete St John” at Symphony born painter Padraig McCaul who
together. It had to be symbolic, profit to assist Mayo-based charities Space and John B Keane's “Moll” at now lives and works on Achill Island,
something that would appear time and organizations looking for sup- New York’s Town Hall. Hannon has off the Mayo coast. Widely collected
and time again and would stand the port from the diaspora. Previously, worked with charities both in Ireland internationally and at home, his
test of time through the generations he brought other Irish shows to NYC and in the UK. Professionally work is in many prestigious collec-
accountant, he spent much of his tions, including London’s Hottinger
career fundraising for charities in Art Collection, the President's office
Ireland and the UK and worked on of Notre Dame University, USA, the
many capital campaigns, notably for Haddington Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
Childline. In the UK, he ran events and the Tannery Restaurant in
such as a gala at The Dorchester in Dungarvan. He has had sell out exhi-
London patronized by the late bitions in Ireland with Dublin’s
Princess Diana and a reception at No Doorway Gallery and Fremantle,
10 Downing Street, hosted by John Australia’s Kidogo Arthouse. A col-
Major. lection of new paintings will be used
Also key to this new production is as the stage backdrops for Fáinne
choreographer Ciara Sexton a veter- Óir. Describing his symbiotic rela-
an of the creators of the original tionship with his adopted home
international Irish multi media pro- place, McCaul noted,”It has every-
duction — Riverdance. Sexton pro- thing a landscape artist would want
fessionally began her dance career in — the sea, mountains, the rolling
the lead role of Morrighan in Michael bog, sky and the light that changes
Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” — his every hour of the day. There is no
production after his landmark reason to go beyond it; there is so
Riverdance. When he returned on a much here to inspire painting.’’
world tour in 2011, she appeared Debuting early September in
alongside him. Sexton also does cho- Mayo, co-producer Fahey and
reography regularly for her home- Hannon thankfully chose New York
town troupe, Celtic Feet, touring City as their next stop — but only on
with them in 2012 in their produc- one night. Apparently tickets as sell-
tion of “Excalibur – A Celtic Rock ing quite fast through word of mouth
Opera. She also appeared with and social media but there still a
Flatley in the 3D film version of chance to order. C
“Lord of the Dance.” Go to www.symphonyspace.org for
Another unique element of Fainne more information to purchase tickets.