Discover: The Turn of the Screw
Based on Henry James’s chilling novella, Britten‘s The Turn of the Screw tells the story of a governess, desperate to protect her wards from evil as they experience strange encounters at a remote country house.
A subtle, self-conscious exploration of the haunted house of Victorian culture, The Turn of the Screw can be read as a straightforward frightening ghost story. But are the apparitions of the two ghosts what they seem? James imbues his text with sexual and social unease, which gives the story an eerily equivocal atmosphere. Might these paranormal happenings be in the governess’s head?
Delve into the story of the The Turn of the Screw opera here – as we share a synopsis, answer commonly asked audience questions, and provide a sneak peek of the ENO’s production.
The Turn of the Screw: Gallery
The Turn of the Screw Synopsis
Act I
The early 1960s. The Governess is in a mental asylum. Thirty years ago, she was engaged to work at Bly, a lonely country house, to look after two recently orphaned children, Miles and Flora.
Prologue
A man reads from an old journal the recollections of the then young Governess describing her interview with the handsome, worldly guardian of the children.
The Journey
Full of questions, hopes and anxieties, the Governess recalls her journey to Bly, long ago.
The Welcome
Mrs Grose, Miles and Flora await the Governess’s arrival. She is charmed by the beauty of the children and touched by the friendliness of Mrs Grose. Miles and Flora want to show her the house.
The Letter
There is a letter for the Governess which upsets her. Miles’s school has written, telling her he is expelled. But he seems so innocent. She declares her intention to do nothing, and to say nothing to the children’s guardian. Mrs Grose admires her decision.
The Tower
The Governess explores the grounds of Bly. She is proud of her work with the children, and her anxieties and fears have abated. She wishes the children’s guardian could see how well she is doing. She thinks she sees him in the distance, but she is mistaken. It is not him.
The Window
The Governess’s concern about the stranger increases when she thinks she sees him again. She describes the man to Mrs Grose, who says he sounds like Peter Quint, a former valet, who was much too free with the previous governess, Miss Jessel – too free with everyone. Mrs Grose then tells her that Quint and Miss Jessel are both dead.
The Lesson
Miles and Flora are at their lessons.
The Lake
The Governess continues a lesson with Flora by the lake. Flora sings a lullaby to her doll. The Governess thinks she sees Miss Jessel across the lake and becomes fearful.
At Night
The Governess sees Miles through her window, outside in the moonlight. She thinks Quint is calling for him, and Miss Jessel is calling for Flora.
Interval of 20 minutes
Act II
The Governess is, as before, in a mental asylum. She is upset by what she thinks she hears in the next room. It reminds her of Bly.
Colloquy and Soliloquy
Quint and Miss Jessel seem to be together in the schoolroom. The relationship is abusive. The Governess is distressed.
The Bells
Miles and Flora play priests. Miles confronts the Governess. He asks when he is going back to school. He challenges her to inform his guardian about what she thinks is going on. She decides to leave Bly.
Miss Jessel
The Governess finds Miss Jessel in the schoolroom with the children. She is jealous and disturbed, and at last writes to the children’s guardian.
The Bedroom
The Governess tells Miles that she has written to his guardian. She presses him to tell her what happened at school, and at Bly before she came.
Quint
Miles steals her letter.
The Piano
Miles is playing the piano. Mrs Grose falls asleep, and Flora slips away. The Governess notices Flora’s absence and raises an alarm to search for her.
Flora
Flora is found. The Governess challenges Flora to admit that she sees Miss Jessel. Flora denies everything and accuses the Governess of being cruel.
Miles
Mrs Grose takes Flora away, leaving the Governess alone with Miles. Once again she presses the boy to confess. Miles admits to having stolen the letter. The Governess entreats him to open up to her about Quint.
The Turn of the Screw opera FAQs
What is The Turn of the Screw opera about?
The Turn of the Screw follows a young lady who is employed as a governess to look after two children, Miles and Flora.
The plot takes place at an isolated estate, Bly Manor, where the new governess begins to see the ghosts of two of the estate’s former employees, Peter Quint and Miss Jessel.
As the ghosts seemingly begin to be a threat to the children, the governess becomes increasingly worried. A weave of events explores innocence, corruption and the supernatural, followed by the governesses’ actions causing unforeseen circumstances.
Who is Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw opera?
Peter Quint is a central character who appears as a ghost within the opera. He was a valet who previously worked at Bly Manor, where he also had a relationship with the former governess, Miss Jessel.
Who wrote The Turn of the Screw opera?
The opera is written by Benjamin Britten, based on the novella of the same name by Henry James.
Composed in 1954, the opera features a libretto by Myfanwy Piper, a British librettist.
