Britten - The Turn of the Screw

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)

The Turn of the Screw

Peter Pears
Jennifer Vyvyan
David Hemmings
Oliver Dyer
Joan Cross
Arda Mandikian

English Opera Group Orchestra

Benjamin Britten

The Turn of the Screw was composed in 1954 from a libretto by Myfanwy Piper, based on the story by Henry James, and was first performed in Venice. The opera has a Prologue and sixteen scenes (divided into two acts) or variations. The so-called twelve-note Screw theme, perhaps a nod to Arnold Schoenberg, is heard in the first scene with a variation in the subsequent scene; each variation being another irreversible turn of the screw. The opera is written for high register voices, soprano, lyrical tenor and the treble voices of the children.

It is interesting that the original notes to this recording stressed the good (in the form of the governess) and evil (the ghosts of Quint and Miss Jessel) with the children Miles and Flora as the innocent ones. The Turn of the Screw is an unusual subject for an opera, with hints of homosexuality, incest and pedophilia but operas like Peter Grimes and Billy Buddy have suggestions of homosexuality. The corruption of children was something that both fascinated and appalled Britten. The composer chose to represent the evil Peter Quint with the sweet sounds of the celesta to point up the attraction the ghost has over Miles. Miss Jessel, on the other hand is represented by the gong and double bass, and her vocal part is written in the lower soprano register. Miles and Flora are capable of being angelic or devilish. Miles is highly musically talented and plays the piano to distract the Governess so Miss Jessel can lure Flora to her. The children have their own music: Miles sings the sad Malo song that shows his own sense of doom and Flora has a lullaby.

The performances for this recording are superb. Peter Pears is utterly sinister as Quint and conveys the malevolent side of the ghost in act 2 scene 1, where he is cruel to Miss Jessel and silky smooth with Miles in Act 1 scene 8 (At Night). Jennifer Vyvyan is a strong Governess as she seeks to break the hold of Quint and Miss Jessel over the children. Miles is beautifully and sensitively sung by David Hemmings, and it is hard to think of anyone else in the role. Needless to say, Benjamin Britten directs the chamber orchestra bringing out the sinister and lyrical beauty of his music. The recording is mono but I hardly noticed. The recording is clear with a good separation of voice and orchestra. The opera is very engaging and beautifully conveyed. I am sure there are other excellent recordings of The Turn of the Screw but this one is a must hear.