Glass: The Voyage - An Opera in Three Acts (2CD)

Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera in 1992, The Voyage commemorated the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the New World. At the time of its premiere, Philip Glass was only the second composer in 26 years to receive a commission from the world's largest and most prestigious opera house. Glass's grand opera was ultimately the most expensive and monumental in the history of the Metropolitan Opera. It is filled with great flare, fantastical elements, but firmly rooted in the personal intimate visions of the main characters. In considering Columbus as a subject, Glass bypassed the controversial historical persona and focused on the explorer who had tremendous individual courage and drive to discover. This fundamental "spirit of discovery" is at the heart of the opera. Glass says: "The Voyage is an allegory about the spirit of exploration and the dislocation that must occur whenever different cultures clash. What drives people to travel, what are they looking for? Characters from the past and the future give different answers - also the scientist who travels across the universe without ever leaving his wheel chair [loosely based on Stephen Hawking]. Christopher Columbus, stands for all those eternal travellers - Ulysses, Noah, Flying Dutchman - doomed or destined, alone with his idea on a boat; he is a stand-in for all voyagers, for all those compelled to explore, to question." Orchestrally exciting, dramatically gripping, the opera explores the motivation of what drives individuals to explore and the consequences of their exploration. This world premiere record-ing, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies highlights stellar performances by the Bruckner Orchester, chorus of the Landestheater Linz and a wonderful ensemble cast of singers.