The Voyage (complete opera)

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's filled with great flare, fantastical elements, but firmly rooted in the personal intimate visions of the main characters.

In considering Columbus as a subject for an opera, Glass bypassed the controversial historical persona; he focused rather on the explorer who had tremendous individual courage and drive to discover. It is this fundamental "spirit of discovery" which is at the heart of the opera.

Orchestrally exciting, dramatically gripping, the opera explores the motivation of what drives individuals to explore and the consequences of their exploration. The recording, led by conductor Dennis Russell Davies highlights stellar performances by the Bruckner Orchester Linz, chorus of the Landestheater Linz and a wonderful ensemble cast of singers.

At its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, The New York Times said:
The Voyage "has something for everybody...some bombastic insistence and some tender, lyrical music that is among Mr. Glass's best... His music uses large brush strokes to create almost Baroque blocks of atmosphere. His polyrhythms have now been joined by long-lined lyricism suited to the voice and by some intriguing experimentation with harmonies and timbres. Some segments of the music are actually haunting."

Four years later at its revival The New York Times remarked:
"The Voyage combines the eccentricity of 'Einstein on the Beach' and the monumentality of 'Satyagraha'."