Released in celebration of the Britten anniversary year, Richard Farnes, the Music Director of Opera North who led their critically acclaimed production of The Turn of the Screw in 2010, conducts an all-English cast in Britten’s most ingeniously crafted opera, including Andrew Kennedy, Sally Matthews, and 11-year old Michael Clayton-Jolly in the role of Miles. Originally scheduled to be conducted by Sir Colin Davis, Richard Farnes was the natural replacement, himself having been mentored by the late conductor.

In 1932, the 18-year-old Britten heard on the radio ‘a wonderful, impressive but terribly eerie and scary play The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.’ Britten’s version of the ghost story, premiered in 1954, is a chamber opera in a prologue and two acts. The opera tells the story of a Governess and a housekeeper Mrs Grose who vow to protect two children, Miles and Flora from the strange happenings that occur in the grounds of their English country house.

Composer Benjamin Britten
Conductor Richard Farnes
Performers London Symphony Orchestra
Soloists Andrew Kennedy, Sally Matthews, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Michael Clayton-Jolly, Lucy Hall, Katherine Broderick

The Turn of the Screw, Act I

1. Prologue
2. Theme
3. Scene 1: "The Journey"
4. Variation I
5. Scene 2: "The Welcome"
6. Variation II
7. Scene 3: "The Letter"
8. Variation III
9. Scene 4: "The Tower"
10. Variation IV
11. Scene 5: "The Window"
12. Variation V
13. Scene 6: "The Lesson"
14. Variation VI
15. Scene 7: "The Lake"
16. Variation VII
17. Scene 8: "At Night"

The Turn of the Screw, Act II

1. Variation VIII
2. Scene 1: "Colloquy and Soliloquy"
3. Variation IX
4. Scene 2: "The Bells"
5. Variation X
6. Scene 3: "Miss Jessel"
7. Variation XI
8. Scene 4: "The Bedroom"
9. Variation XII
10. Scene 5: Quint
11. Variation XIII
12. Scene 6: "The Piano"
13. Variation XIV
14. Scene 7: "Flora"
15. Variation XV
16. Scene 8: "Miles"

Release Date 25 November 2013
LSO0749 | 0822231174929
LSO0749-D | 0822231174967

Producer James Mallinson
Engineers Jonathan Stokes for Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 16 & 18 April 2013, in the Barbican Hall, London

Booklet in English, French & German

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