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Overview

Synopsis

Written in 1954, The Turn of the Screw is the last of Benjamin Britten’s chamber operas, based on the gothic horror novella of the same title. A sheltered young governess is sent to care for two children in a country house called Bly. At first, her new post seems perfect--the children, Miles and Flora, are positively angelic, and the estate is beautiful. Soon, however, the governess becomes suspicious as apparitions of a man and a woman begin to appear around the house and the grounds. The housekeeper informs her that they are the ghosts of Quint, the manservant, and Miss Jessel, the former governess. As the governess feels an increasing sense of evil surrounding the house, the ghosts appear more often and ever closer to the children, intending to possess them as the governess tries desperately to protect her young charges. A tale of the struggle of good and evil, the corruption of innocence, and the supernatural, The Turn of the Screw is a terrifying and brilliantly composed thriller that has been called one of the most dramatically compelling British operas of all time.

Show Information

Libretto
Myfanwy Piper
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Henry James 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1954
Genres
Drama, Horror
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
mid-19th century, at bly, an east english country house
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
None
Ideal For
Chamber Opera, College/University, Professional Opera, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Child, Mature Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Governess

Lead

Female

Soprano

Miles

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Flora

Lead

Female

Soprano

Mrs. Grose

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Miss Jessel

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Peter Quint

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Prologue

Featured

Male

Tenor

Songs

Act One

  • Prologue (Prologue)
  • Theme (orchestra)
  • Scene I: The Journey (Governess)
  • Variation I (orchestra)
  • Scene 2: The Welcome (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora)
  • Variation II (orchestra)
  • Scene 3: The Letter (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora)
  • Variation III (orchestra)
  • Scene 4: The Tower (Governess, Quint)
  • Variation IV (orchestra)
  • Scene 5: The Window (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora, Quint)
  • Variation V (orchestra)
  • Scene 6: The Lesson (Governess, Miles, Flora)
  • Variation VI (orchestra)
  • Scene 7: The Lake (Governess, Miles, Flora, Miss Jessel)
  • Variation VII (orchestra)
  • Scene 8: At Night (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora, Quint, Miss Jessel)

Act Two

  • Variation VIII (orchestra)
  • Scene 1: Colloquy and Soliloquy (Quint, Miss Jessel, Governess)
  • Variation IX (orchestra)
  • Scene 2: The Bells (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora)
  • Variation X (orchestra)
  • Scene 3: Miss Jessel (Governess, Miss Jessel)
  • Variation XI (orchestra)
  • Scene 4: The Bedroom (Governess, Miles, Quint)
  • Variation XII (orchestra)
  • Scene 5: Quint (Miles, Quint)
  • Variation XIII (orchestra)
  • Scene 6: The Piano (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora)
  • Variation XIV (orchestra)
  • Scene 7: Flora (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Flora, Miss Jessel)
  • Variation XV (orchestra)
  • Scene 8: Miles (Governess, Mrs. Grose, Miles, Flora, Quint)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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