Two years after the opera centred around Steve Jobs’ life was announced, it finally debuts this weekend. The high anticipated opera, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, will first be performed on an open-air stage in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Saturday, July 22 at 8.30pm.
The opera is limited to just six shows but is set to be a compelling and emotional exploration of his life. The Santa Fe opera website outlines the inspiration behind the production:
“Many of us want to change the world. Steve Jobs did. An enigmatic public figure, he could be magnetic yet unapproachable, empathetic yet cruel, meditative yet restless. He helped connect us all while building a firewall around his own emotions. At the heart of this world premiere is the story of a man who circles back to the formative events in his life while learning to acknowledge his own mortality.”
He helped connect us all while building a firewall around his own emotions. At the heart of this world premiere is the story of a man who circles back to the formative events in his life while learning to acknowledge his own mortality.”
The memories of Steve Jobs’
Created by DJ Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell, the opera follows Jobs’ struggle to find a balance between work and family life. The 19 scenes begin with the launch of the first iPhone in 2007, before weaving between decades, looking at his family life and success at Apple. The opera thrives on Jobs’ the emotions and memories, yet Campbell and Bates are clear that the aim was not to glorify the CEO.
“The libretto for ‘Steve Jobs’ has a very non-linear narrative,” Campbell said. “We create a story where he is confronting his own mortality [and] decides to look at a few places in his past.”
Electronics by Apple to accompany the orchestra
The actors are accompanied by an impressive orchestra, live guitar and electronics deliberately supplied by Apple. Bates commented on the power of this decision:
“Even if you can’t recognize it, it adds a little authenticity that the guy who is the subject of this opera is the creator of some of the devices we’re hearing.”
Santa Fe Opera has provided samples of the compelling and high emotive music on their Soundcloud page.
The opera will focus heavily on his personal relationships, featuring Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, his wife Laurene Powell Jobs, and former girlfriend Chrisann Brennan, each recognisable by their own personal sound.
It has been supported by opera companies in San Francisco and Seattle, with promises of performances to come in California and Washington.
This is not the first memoir celebrating the life of the great Steve Jobs and it certainly won’t be the last.
