Around the Nation

*Here are four arts and culture videos from public broadcasting partners around the nation.* There are very few people in the world who can sing the role of Siegfried in Wagner's opera, "Ring Cycle." When the Met Opera recently lost its star, a Texas newcomer stepped in just five weeks before the opening. WNET Sunday Arts [profiles Jay Hunter Morris](http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/video/opera/jay-hunter-morris-a-new-siegfried-for-the-ring/2094/) as he becomes Siegfried.

Watch Jay Hunter Morris: A New Siegfried for the Ring on PBS. See more from SundayArts.

Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings blends folk, blues and rock to tell intimate stories. TPT[ features Jennings performing](http://www.mnoriginal.org/art/?p=10330) his song "Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor" live at the Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.

From his early beginnings as a gospel singer, Glenn Jones went on to become a celebrated musician who has been performing for more than 20 years. The folk guitarist stops by the NPR offices to perform a Tiny Desk Concert.


In the opera drama *"Salome" a woman's disturbing obsession with John the Baptist leads her to request the prophet's head, so blood and beheadings are central elements to bringing the story to stage. KPBS [goes behind the scenes](http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jan/27/video-behind-scenes-salome/) of the San Diego Opera for a look at the special effects that bring the horror of the story to the stage.