The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, an opera based on the life of Apple’s late co-founder and CEO, bagged the Grammy for best opera recording last night.
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra recording of composer Mason Bates’ opera triumphed over nominees including Doctor Atomic by John Adams, Alceste by John-Baptiste Lully, Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss and Rigoletto by Verdi.
The classical music winners were announced in a ceremony that took place before Sunday’s prime-time Grammy telecast. The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs was nominated in several other categories as well.
Telling the story of Steve Jobs’ life
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs opened back in 2017.
“I was kind of hesitant at first about the subject,” Mark Campbell, who wrote the libretto featured in the opera, told Cult of Mac as the work came together. “Steve Jobs is so popular and so a part of our world, and creating an opera is full of minefields. But I saw a way into the story that could work in the operatic form. I was not interested in creating a story that made him a big hero, nor did I want an opera that vilified him in any way. I created a libretto that paints a balanced portrait of him.”
The opera re-enacts 19 of the most significant moments in Jobs’ life. It portrays everything from his introduction to Buddhism and his marriage to Laurene Jobs to his role inventing, well, just about all the gadgets we spend eight hours each day writing about.
The opera is currently gearing up to play in Seattle. (It will run between from February 23 to March 9.) You can listen to The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs on music streaming platforms, including Apple Music.
Source: Los Angeles Times
