True events recreated in song in “The Ballad of Baby Doe”

It’s a dramatic, full-length opera about characters in United States history during the Colorado silver mining peak in the late 19th century.

It’s based on actual events and will celebrate its 50th anniversary of the opera’s debut this year.

It’s “The Ballad of Baby Doe.”

“The Ballad of Baby Doe” will be performed by the Utah State University Opera Theatre of the Caine School of the Arts from Friday-Saturday, April 7-8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Caine Lyric Theater. There will also be a matinee on Saturday at 1 p.m. Admission is $10 for general seating, $5 for seniors and is free for all students and faculty. Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office, which will open one hour before curtain.

The production was chosen because “It’s a wonderful example of contemporary American opera,” director Lynn Jemison-Keisker said.

The opera’s main characters, including President Chester A. Arthur and presidential hopeful William James Bryan, come straight from historical 19th century Colorado. The composer, Douglas Moore, was inspired by reading the obituary of Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Taber in the New York Times in 1935 and felt compelled to set it to music.

“It’s a wonderful love story,” Jemison-Keisker said.

In addition to Jemison-Keisker’s direction, the production has also been guest directed by Andrew Whitfield.

“It’s been awesome working with [Dr.] Andrew Whitfield, the guest director,” Michelle Broadbent, who plays the part of Augusta, said, “It’s been nice to draw from the experience of both Dr. Jemison-Keisker and Dr. Whitfield.”

The opera has been rehearsed for months, said Jemison-Keisker.

“Students register for an opera theatre course at the beginning of the semester and then can audition to participate in the opera,” she said. “But principal roles for this production were cast last fall in order to give the students performing those roles ample time to develop their characters both vocally and dramatically.”

The cast itself has more than 35 undergraduate students participating and one community member. Jemison-Keisker said that, although most participants are vocal performance majors, there are also students involved that simply love music.

Last fall, members of the opera traveled to London for educational purposes, and a service trip is being planned for Guatemala and El Salvador this year. The group has been heavily sponsored by the Marie Eccles Caine foundation.

Next fall the USU Opera Theatre will perform Aaron Copeland’s “Tender Land ,” another American opera, and will perform Donna Zetti’s “Elixir of Love” next spring.

“Elixir of Love” will be sung in the original Italian text with full orchestra. Collaberating with the USU symphony orchestra for “Elixir of Love” is a big deal, Jemison-Keisker said, because the Opera Theatre doen’t always have the space to perform with a full symphony orchestra. Because of space issues, next spring’s performance will be held in the Kent Concert Hall.

Jemison-Keisker said that, although many props and costumes used in “Baby Doe” belong to USU, the Opera Theatre has rented many pieces as well.

“It’s been a really good experience. It has been challenging because the music is so difficult, and has taken a lot of personal time [to make it a success],” Broadbent said. “The cast has really pulled together to make an amazing product. We’ve really grown together.”

-limarc@cc.usu.edu