On this edition of Saint Paul Sunday, renowned baritone Thomas Hampson tells America's stories in song, bringing them to life through masterly performances and a passionate sense of their importance to our national soul.

As part of his extensive collaboration with the Library of Congress, he unearths several previously neglected gems, singing them alongside more familiar favorites by Foster, Copland, Barber, and Ives. We also hear the fourth song in Stephen Paulus's "Heartland Portrait", a cycle commissioned for Mr. Hampson and set to luminous poems by Ted Kooser, thirteenth Poet Laureate of the United States. Pianist Craig Rutenberg, whose contributions have likewise enlarged our musical life, performs with equal mastery and heart.

Music featured on this program:

    *  Francis Hopkinson (text: Hopkinson): "My Days Have Been so Wondrous Free"

    * Stephen Foster (text: Foster): "Hard Times"

    * Aaron Copland (text/tune: Trad.): "The Dodger"

    * H.T. Burleigh: "Lovely, Dark, and Lonely One."

    * Elinor Remick Warren (text: Anon. 16th c): "God Be in my heart"

    * Virgil Thomson (text: William Blake): "Tiger! Tiger!"

    * Samuel Barber (text: James Joyce): "Sure On This Shining Night"

    * Stephen Paulus (text: Ted Kooser): "A Heartland Portrait"

      —IV. "A Summer Night"

    * Charles Ives (text: Col. John McCrae): "In Flanders Fields"

    * Arthur Farwell (adapted text: Omaha Indian): "The old man’s love song"

    * William Grant Still (text: LeRoy V. Brant): "Grief"

    * Stephen White (text/tune: Trad. American): "Shenandoah"

    * Aaron Copland: "The Boatman"

For more information about this program please visit the Saint Paul Sunday Web site.