SHEPHERD SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM TURN OF THE SCREW

Office of News and Media Relations
Ellen Chang
Media Relations Specialist
713-348-6777
Email: ellenc@rice.edu

Benjamin Britten’s haunting operatic setting of Henry James’ classical psychological thriller, “The Turn of the Screw,” tells the unusual story of a conflict between the newly appointed governess at a country estate and the evil spirits that lurk there. Set in Victorian England, the opera will be presented by the undergraduate and graduate opera and voice students of the Shepherd School of Music Nov. 9, 11, 13 and 14 as part of the Leon Wilson Clark Opera Series.

The opera tells the tale of Quint, a former manservant, and Miss Jessel, the previous governess, who died under mysterious circumstances after acquiring an unnatural influence over Miles and Flora, the children left in their care. The new young governess comes to believe that the two servants have returned as spirits in order to complete their possession of the children’s souls. Frightened by their ghostly visitations, the governess tries to protect the children against the evil power of Quint and Jessel.



The source of the evil could be the deepening spell emanating from forces beyond the grave or a delusional manifestation of the governess’ own repressed sexuality caused by her passion to possess the spirit of Miles. The deliberate ambiguity heightens the dramatic tension as each scene unfolds with increasing complexity in this fascinating exploration of the corruption of innocence.

 “It’s a fabulous story,” said Debra Dickinson, artist teacher in opera studies. “What I love about it is the ambiguity and that is what we are trying to maintain in our production." This is the tale of one of the greatest ghost stories ever written and the English composer’s score captures the escalating mystery.

 The scenes are presented in a series of 16 vignettes that are cinematographic in their fluidity and dramatic focus. They are also interspersed with orchestral interludes in the form of a theme and 15 variations This compositional organization pursues a circular path, which corresponds to each “turn of the screw” as the ghost story evolves, climaxing in an enigmatic final scene in which Quint and the governess duel for the possession of Miles’ soul.

“It’s a very tightly constructed piece,” Dickinson said. “What Britten does is he uses the music to increase the dramatic tension. ”

 With the breathless dramatic tension and outstanding musical invention, “The Turn of the Screw” is often regarded as Britten’s supreme operatic achievement.

The performances begin at 7: 30p.m.attheWortham Opera Theatre in Alice Pratt Brown Hall. Admission is $8 for students and senior citizens and $10 for the general public. For tickets, call 713-348-8000.