Benjamin Britten - The Turn Of The Screw

The Turn of the Screw

Benjamin Britten

Born 22nd November 1913, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England

Died 4th December 1976, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

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Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is an opera in two acts with a libretto by Myfanwy Piper, based on the novella by Henry James. It was composed in only four months and was premiered in 1954 at Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice. At the time it was considered one of the most dramatically appealing English operas. There have been regular performances around the world since. 

The story revolves around an unsuspecting governess who takes on the strange job of caring for and tutoring two children, on the terms that she is not to contact their father or enquire of the house’s past. Belligerent forces soon become apparent to the governess, and the plot gradually unfolds the discord of her relationship with the ghosts, the father and the housemaid.

The work is a chamber opera, scored for only 13 players, which means it is easily taken on tour and performed in a range of small venues. Typical of Britten’s style it is comprised of mixed tonality and dissonance, with the music almost completely based around a twelve-note ‘screw’ theme, which utilises every note of the chromatic scale. On the written score, this theme visually resembles a screw. Between each scene a variation of the ‘screw’ theme is featured, each starting on a different note. Tension is maintained by Britten’s turning of this ‘musical screw’ by use of the variations. 

Britten’s score aptly portrays a strange atmosphere, perfectly complimenting the drama on stage. Even the more ‘joyful’ themes (the governess’ arrival, the hobby horse race) have a strange and creepy undertone, the claustrophobic atmosphere of Bly house permeating the audience. 

Seeping through the ominous ambience throughout, there is lots of variation in style throughout the opera, and strong characterisation. Compare, for example, the often upbeat quirky music of the governess’ arrival, to the mellow, wistful ‘Malo’ sung by Miles.

This story of the corruption of innocence makes for an enigmatic and disturbing journey when juxtaposed upon Benjamin Britten’s spine-chilling score.