PROVO, Utah — In a bicentennial celebration of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, BYU's School of Music premiered a new opera, "The Book of Gold," by Murray Boren based on a libretto by Glen Nelson.
Two Church members who have performed with New York's Metropolitan Opera, Ariel Bybee and Jennifer Welch-Babidge, along with Darrell Babidge, were cast in lead roles in the opera, which opened Nov. 4 and closes Nov. 12. Sister Bybee was cast in the role of Lucy Mack Smith, while the Babidges were cast as Joseph and Emma Smith.
"The artists have brought a professional level of discipline and work ethic to the project and the students have already begun to realize the example of that ethic," said Rodger D. Sorensen, director of the opera, and theater and media arts department chair. "They have helped us understand that creating an opera is dense and many-layered because performers must not only sing, but must also have a process of creating a character."
The opera brings to life the adventures of saints and scoundrels, love and death and treachery and miracles surrounding the publication of the Book of Mormon.
"The Book of Gold" is based on original documents and historical records from the events of 1827-1830.
"I wanted to show Joseph grow from a young man to a prophet," said Brother Nelson, who immersed himself in research to write the text. "It did not happen in a single day. To my mind, this span of time, 1828-1829, shows the miracle of one man's development."
While the coming about of the Book of Mormon is the setting, one of the main themes of the opera is the refinement process that Joseph endures.
"I hope the audience takes home the fact that none of us is protected from difficulties," Brother Sorensen added. "These journeys are hard, but with faith we can make it through."
The opera was divided into two casts, with each one alternating performances.
Sister Bybee was called "a prominent mezzo at the Metropolitan Opera for eighteen seasons," by June 2000 Opera News. She sang more than 450 performances at the Met, first earning accolades for her performance as Jenny in "The Rise and Fall of Mahogany." Further acclaim came from her performances as Annio in the Metropolitan's premiere of Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito," as Hansel in "Hansel and Gretel," Nicklausse in "Les Contes d'Hoffman," and Suzuki in "Madama Butterfly."
Hailed by critics worldwide for her complete performances as both singer and actor, Sister Welch-Babidge's 2005-2006 season will include appearances with Opera Carolina as Leila in "Pearl Fishers," Houston Grand Opera as Norina in "Don Pasquale," and a return to the Metropolitan Opera as Marzelline in "Fidelio." She will also reappear with the Metropolitan Chamber Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, with James Levine conducting.
The BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kory Katseanes, provided the music for the opera. The production team includes director Rodger D. Sorensen, scenic designer Russell D. Richins, lighting designer Michael G. Handley and costume designer Deanne DeWitt.