From hippie idealist to a titan of the tech industry, the life of iconoclast-turned-icon Steve Jobs composed in song—that is what the creators of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs are bringing to the stage for a Canadian first in February.
Calgary Opera will be putting the audience pleasing and award-winning show on stage at the Jubilee Auditorium on Feb. 4, 8 and 10.
“The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs has always been very popular with audiences, but I think the story now affects them more profoundly because of what we’ve all been through,” said librettist Mark Campbell, who penned the opera’s libretto.
Composer Mason Bates and Campbell re-amplified the messages around human connections and technology that surrounded Jobs’ life, in the context of a 2022 run of the opera. Calgary Opera joined the co-production with the Atlanta Opera, Austin Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Utah Opera as the sole Canadian opera company.
“An opera about the need for human connection seems especially resonant after the periods of isolation we experienced during the pandemic,” said Campbell.
Brett Polegato, an internationally acclaimed baritone who has previously performed in Calgary Opera premieres, is playing the role of Jobs.
Steve Wozniak, Apple Computers co-founder is being played by Juno award-winning Edmonton tenor, John Tessier.
Michael Christie, who conducted the 2017 sold out world premiere of the opera, is returning to conduct the Calgary performances.
For more details, and for tickets, see calgaryopera.com/22-23/revolution.
