Traditionally, operas tend to take grand, historical characters as their subject matter. “Shakespearean figures, mythical characters from Wagner, Puccini’s tragic heroines, Verdi’s conflicted kings,” opera enthusiast and Washington National Opera board of trustees member Daniel Glaser told ExecutiveGov. Glaser pointed out that in modern times, a person like Steve Jobs fits this bill even more than you might imagine. Jobs—and tech innovators like him—could be seen as the pivotal shapers of society to stand alongside the aforementioned stormy (anti-)heroes. His legacy is powerful, his impacts expansive and he’s not without his own contradictions and dark side.
That’s why WNO was intrigued by “The (Re)evolution of Steve Jobs,” a show that debuted in 2017 in San Francisco. Composed by Mason Bates and with libretto by Mark Campbell, it follows Jobs’ life and career, including his much-touted ascendence from a garage-experimenting young man to a tech titan. Glaser, who is head of global jurisdictional services at K2 Integrity and a former Treasury Department assistant secretary, thinks the opera, which runs at the Kennedy Center from May 2 through the 10th, to be prescient.
“It’s especially timely now, given the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning and tech innovation. These people aren’t just business figures—they’re shaping politics and culture. Presenting an opera like this in the nation’s capital feels especially relevant,” he mused.
Why Did WNO Choose the Steve Jobs Opera?
The Washington National Opera was designated by U.S. Congress as the national opera company in 2000. As such, the organization takes it upon itself to give primacy to works written by American composers, often performed in English, Glaser told us. For the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year, the company will be putting on productions of works by Scott Joplin as well as slightly more contemporary shows like “Porgy and Bess” and “The Crucible.”
The current run of “The (Re)evolution of Steve Jobs” is in line with this mission. Glaser is encouraging technology enthusiasts who might not otherwise even give opera a second thought to consider attending. It could be a gateway into a new passion, as it was for him—Glaser considers his conversion into being an opera lover to be life changing.
What’s the Larger Significance of the Show?
Glaser believes the writing and staging of this show says something bigger about how technology has become part of the fabric of American life.
“I think this is a sign that the tech world has truly entered culture in a meaningful way. It’s no longer just a spectator or a facilitator of culture—it’s become a subject of art itself. Taking the life of Steve Jobs and elevating it to operatic treatment signals what we now see as important in our society,” he said.
“I think anyone interested in culture—and especially in the tech world—would find it compelling. And beyond all that, it’s just beautiful music,” Glaser added.
“The Re(evolution) of Steve Jobs” is playing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. now. Explore information about the show and see it before the run concludes!
