The opera is one of a number of productions designed to celebrate the 200th birthday of the first prophet and founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Guest artists Ariel Bybee, Jennifer Welch-Babidge and her husband, Darrell Babidge, from the Metropolitan Opera, will perform lead roles in the opera with Bybee in the part of Lucy Mack Smith and the Babidges as Joseph and Emma Smith.

The opera is divided into two casts, with alternating performances. The cast for the Nov. 2, 4, 10, and 12 performances includes Bybee and the Babidges.

The BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kory Katseanes, will provide the music for the opera.

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If you go . . .

What: "Book of Gold" opera

Where: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Provo campus

When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 4, 5, 9-12

How much: $14 adults, $10 students ($5 for dress rehearsals Nov. 2, 3

Phone: 422-4322

(A free forum on "Book of Gold" will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m., Madsen Recital Hall, HFAC.)

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com