Los Alamos High School Students Attend Preview Of Santa Fe Opera’s The (R)evolution Of Steve Jobs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on July 23, 2017
- 3:10 pm

Los Alamos High School students attend the preview performance Thurday of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs at the Santa Fe Opera. Courtesy photo

LAHS students listen to a discussion by librettist Mark Campbell. Courtesy photo

LAHS / SFO News:

Catherine Puranananda’s AP Literature and Composition classes at Los Alamos High School had the privilege Thursday evening of attending a preview performance of Santa Fe Opera’s world premier of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

Puranananda’s classes worked with Santa Fe Opera over the course of the school year. During classroom visits from their education department, students were introduced to the art form of opera, with a particular focus on characterization, gender, identity, motif and conflict.

In May, students toured the SFO campus, where they learned about the complex behind-the-scenes workings of the renowned company. At that time, students also attended a workshop on the (R)evolution of Steve Jobs libretto, where they were asked to analyze pivotal themes from the opera.

Prior to the actual performance, students attended a private discussion, hosted by the Los Alamos Opera Guild, with librettist Mark Campbell, author of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs libretto. Campbell fielded questions from the students ranging from topics such as the process of writing, the development of character and motif, and the personal impact writing about Steve Jobs had on the artist. For LAHS alumna Camille Rousculp, Campbell’s explanations “made emotionally appealing moments of the show even more intriguing.”

Student Andy Shen described the performance itself as “captivating and fascinating.” Wilbur Wang reflected that “the meshing of contemporary themes … with original and modern sounds and lighting, worked well with the story and with the more classical aspects of an opera.” And he found the humor “quirky and entertaining.” Rose Click remarked that “The circular story gave fascinating insight into a giant who, despite harboring major flaws, has hugely influenced all of our lives.”

And Kayleen Lederman insightfully stated that: “Before seeing this opera, I wasn’t sure if an opera in English would live up to my expectations, but it far exceeded them.” For Lederman, “The message to ‘be here now’ as the opera so simply put it, is extremely relevant to today’s society in a world where few people put their phones down for more than a few minutes.”

Student Justin Lemke said, “I would definitely recommend this opera to anyone either with the slightest interest in Steve Jobs or who would enjoy a more unorthodox yet fresh and lively opera.”

LAHS students before the performance. Courtesy photo