Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has embarked on an ambitious project, to write an album for each of the 50 states. The first state in the series was Michigan. Today, he discusses how he traveled the state of Illinois to uncover its oddities and misfits as research for the series' newest installment. Also on the show: Puppeteer Basil Twist's production of Respighi's long forgotten "La bella dormente nel bosco" (Sleeping Beauty in the Woods) gets its New York premiere as part of the Lincoln Center Festival. Twist joins us along with Neal Goren, artistic director of Gotham Chamber Opera and conductor of the production, to discuss how they brought to life this captivating opera.
» View a slideshow of today's guests
» View a slideshow of today's guests
Respighi on the Rocks
Puppeteer Basil Twist's production of Respighi's long forgotten "La bella dormente nel bosco" gets its New York premiere and we get a sneak preview today - puppets and all!
» Basil Twist's Web site
» Gotham Chamber Opera
» Basil Twist's Web site
» Gotham Chamber Opera
Sufjan Stevens
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has embarked on an ambitious project, to write an album for each of the 50 states. Today, a look at the Prairie State of Illinois.
» Sufjan Stevens' Web site
» Sufjan Stevens' Web site
Connect with Soundcheck: