The music of Chinese American composer Tan Dun invites the listener into a personal sound world that expertly marries Eastern and Western musical traditions. Lyrical melodies allow the voice to shine, and the orchestra captivates with unorthodox sounds woven in from the natural world: an “organic music” of stone, clay, water, and paper. The operas of Tan Dun offer a unique programming opportunity: repertoire imbued with fresh sounds and contemporary interpretations of authentic Asian stories.