The Turn of the Screw

The Opera Theatre of Yale College's Winter Mainstage

by Benjamin Britten

Poster of The Turn of the Screw

Regarded by many as the finest of all his stage-works, The Turn of the Screw, Britten’s final chamber opera, was written in the incredibly short period of just four months in 1954. The work is based on the novel of the same name by Henry James which Britten had known for many years: a tale of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, possession and exorcism, set within the domestic proprieties of the Essex country house of Bly - ingredients which would have had an obvious appeal for the composer. Above all, Britten’s favourite theme of the corruption of innocence must have attracted him more than any other.The story also lends itself to Britten’s gifts for apt and distinctive musical characterisation, the relatively ‘pure’ and uncomplicated music for the opera’s mortals contrasting strongly with the alluring, other-worldly music associated with the ghosts.The work is one of the most tautly constructed and tightly-knit of all Britten’s operas, the musical material almost wholly derived from the twelve-note ‘Screw’ theme heard near the work’s opening. However, this very concentration helps give this work its overwhelming feeling of intense claustrophobia and its astonishing dramatic power can have a shattering impact in the theatre.-The Britten-Pears Foundation (brittenpears.org)

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Performance Dates & Times

February 4, 2011 - 8:00pm

February 5, 2011 - 8:00pm

Location

Crescent Underground

Venue Accessibility: 
Venue lobby is accessible via elevators located near both the Morse and Stiles dining halls. Upper seating is accessible via main venue entrance. Facilities and stage level seating are accessible via a ramp to the left of the main venue entrance.

Performers

The Prologue
The Governess
Mrs. Grose
Miss Jessel

Production Team

Costume Designer
Director
Graphic Designer
Lighting Designer
Assistant
Musical Director
Musical Director
Assistant
Musical Director
Assistant
Musical Director
Assistant
Musical Director
Producer
Assistant
Producer
Props Supervisor
Set Designer
Stage Manager