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Last broadcast on Sat, 7 Nov 2009, 18:15 on BBC Radio 3.
Synopsis
From the London Coliseum. Presented by Martin Handley.
Based on Henry James's creepy ghost story, Britten's disturbing chamber opera explores themes of sexual repression and the corruption of innocence. Charles Mackerras, who knew and worked closely with Britten, and has performed this eerie and ambiguous masterpiece for more than 50 years, conducts David McVicar's celebrated English National Opera production from the London Coliseum.
6.15pm
Martin Handley in conversation with award-winning documentary maker and author John Bridcut.
6.30pm
The Turn of the Screw - Act 1
7.25pm
Martin Handley and John Bridcut further explore the themes and composition of the opera, and Valentine Cunningham looks at Henry James's novella, the literary inspiration behind Britten's music.
7.50pm
The Turn of the Screw - Act 2
Prologue/Peter Quint ...... Michael Colvin (tenor)
Governess ...... Rebecca Evans (soprano)
Mrs Grose ...... Anne Murray (mezzo-soprano)
Miss Jessel ...... Cheryl Barker (soprano)
Miles ...... Charlie Manton (treble)
Flora ...... Nazan Fikret (soprano)
Members of the ENO Orchestra
Charles Mackerras (conductor).
David McVicar talks to Petroc Trelawney
Director David McVicar talks to Petroc Trelawny about Benjamin Britten's version of the Henry James story, his thoughts on this production for English National Opera and his experience of its inception at the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia.
(excerpt of original broadcast on Radio 3's In Tune on 21 October 2009)
Sir Charles Mackerras
The Conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras.
Photo: Clive Barda
Production Scene
Photo: Clive Barda
Mrs. Grose and the Governess
Anne Murray as Mrs. Grose and Rebecca Evans as the Governess.
Photo: clive Barda
Peter Quint and Miles
Michael Colvin as Peter Quint and Charlie Manton as Miles.
Photo: Clive Barda
Miles and Flora
Charlie Manton as Miles and Nazan Fikret as Flora.
Photo: Clive Barda
Miss Jessel
Cheryl Barker as Miss Jessel.
Photo: Clive Barda
Production Scene
left to right:
Charlie Manton as Miles, Michael Colvin as Peter Quint, Cheryl Barker as Miss Jessel and Nazan Fikret as Flora.
Photo: Clive Barda
Death of Miles
Charlie Manton as Miles and Rebecca Evans as the Governess.
Photo: Clive Barda
Synopsis: The action takes place at Bly, a country house, during the mid-nineteenth century.
Act I
Prologue A narrator relates the terms under which a young Governess is engaged for two children by their guardian. Reluctant at first, she eventually agrees.
Scene 1: The Journey - Full of questions, hopes and aspirations, the Governess travels to Bly.
Scene 2: The Welcome - Mrs Grose, Miles and Flora await the Governess’s arrival. The Governess is encouraged by the children’s charm, the beauty of the house and the friendliness of Mrs Grose.
Scene 3: The Letter - A letter arrives: Miles has been expelled from his school. The children’s innocent singing of a nursery rhyme confirms the adults’ disbelief in the possibility that Miles could have committed any misdemeanour. The Governess declares her intention to say nothing to the children’s guardian.
Scene 4: The Tower - As the Governess strolls through the grounds on a summer’s evening, her repose is interrupted by the sight of a strange man looking down at her from the tower of the house.
Scene 5: The Window - Miles and Flora are playing. The Governess’s concern about the stranger increases when she sees him again, now staring through the window. In describing him to Mrs Grose, he is identified as Peter Quint, a former valet, who had formed a relationship with the previous governess, Miss Jessel. Both are now dead. The Governess resolves to protect the children.
Scene 6: The Lesson - Miles and Flora are at their lessons. Miles sings a song which discloses his troubled state.
Scene 7: The Lake - The Governess continues an informal lesson with Flora at the lakeside. After Flora sings a lullaby to her doll, Miss Jessel appears on the far side of the lake and is seen by the Governess. The Governess’s confidence is shaken.
Scene 8: At Night - Quint calls for Miles, tempting him with exotic visions and unnamed secrets. Miss Jessel and Flora join them. When the Governess and Mrs Grose enter, seeking the children, Quint and Miss Jessel vanish.
Synopsis continued
Act II
Scene 1: Colloquy and Soliloquy - Quint and Miss Jessel declare their determination to dominate Miles and Flora. The Governess reveals her despair: she is unable to decide what to do.
Scene 2: The Bells - On their way to church, Miles and Flora parody the Benedicite. The children are now suspect to the Governess; Mrs Grose, however, remains
unknowing. The housekeepersuggests the Governess writes to the children’s guardian, but she declines. Miles makes clear that he is aware of what the Governess knows and challenges her to inform his guardian. The Governess is shaken and contemplates escaping Bly.
Scene 3: Miss Jessel - The Governess finds Miss Jessel in the schoolroom. When she confronts the former governess, she manages to drive her away. The Governess decides to write to the children’s guardian.
Scene 4: 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, but Quint’s intervention puts an end to her interrogation.
Scene 5: Quint Encouraged by Quint, Miles steals the letter to his guardian.
Scene 6: The Piano Miles beguiles the Governess and Mrs Grose with his prowess at the piano. His second piece allows Flora to lull Mrs Grose to sleep, and the girl slips out. The Governess notices Flora’s absence and raises the alarm. Miles celebrates his triumph at the keyboard.
Scene 7: Flora Miss Jessel appears by the lake. The Governess challenges Flora to acknowledge that she can see her, but Flora denies everything and accuses the Governess of being cruel. A bewildered Mrs Grose leads Flora off, while the Governess concedes defeat.
Scene 8: Miles Next morning, Mrs Grose returns with Flora. The night she has spent with the girl has convinced her that the Governess was right. She departs with Flora, leaving the Governess to confront Miles alone. The Governess re-affirms her intention to save Miles. Once again she presses the boy to confess, and once again Quint intervenes. Miles admits to having stolen the letter, but when the Governess entreats him to name for whom it is he watches and waits, he remains silent. After persistent questioning from the Governess, he finally names Quint, then collapses and dies.
© English National Opera
Broadcast
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Sat 7 Nov 200918:15
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