Joseph Smith transforms — in opera

As collaborators, Murray Boren and Glen Nelson have written a number of works together, from song cycles to cantatas and operas. And 15 years and nearly a dozen works later, they're still eager to continue their partnership.

In fact, they've already begun work on a couple of new projects.

"I love collaborations," Nelson said by phone from his home in Manhattan. "I'm surprised at how few do it."

Their latest joint endeavor is the opera "The Book of Gold," based on the life of Joseph Smith, which will receive its world premiere next weekend at Brigham Young University.

Singing the leads on the opening-night performance Friday are Metropolitan Opera stars Ariel Bybee, as Lucy Mack Smith, and Jennifer Welch-Babidge, as Emma Smith. Taking on the role of Joseph Smith is British baritone Darrell Babidge, who has performed with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the London Philharmonic and the Halle Orchestra. They will also appear in Wednesday's dress rehearsal and in performances on Nov. 10 and 12. A student cast will sing in Thursday's dress rehearsal and on Nov. 5, 9 and 11.

Boren, interviewed in BYU's de Jong Concert Hall before a rehearsal, said he had the three singers in mind while working on the score. "The roles were written specifically for these three. And I pushed the school to bring them in."

All three have busy schedules and had to juggle commitments to be able to come to Provo. "I've known them for a long time," Boren said. "I think it was a friendship issue with them."

"The Book of Gold" is set in the years 1828-30 and chronicles a pivotal period in Smith's life. It was during this time that he began translating the Book of Mormon and also gradually transformed from a young man to a prophet. "Influences are important to me," Nelson said. "The opera is about how and why this change was made. I wanted to show how Joseph changed from profiteer to prophet."

The opera evolved slowly. Boren and Nelson first tossed some ideas around for an opera based on Smith's life about five years ago. Originally, it was intended to depict Smith's life in Nauvoo and end with his martyrdom. However, neither was convinced that they could make it succeed. Yet both wanted to write something on his life. "Murray once told me that he wanted to do a Joseph opera, even if no one will play it," Nelson said.

Eventually, Nelson realized that focusing on Smith as a young man would have the elements to turn historical events into a successful stage work.