The Turn of the Screw

Benjamin Britten's 1954 chamber opera, adapted from Henry James's psychological ghost novella, is a structurally brilliant piece, consisting of a musical theme that goes through fifteen variations, each of which serves as an introduction to one of the scenes while gradually increasing the level of tension in the score. Librettist Myfanwy Piper's work is equally skillful, capturing the original's elegant ambiguity. This solid performance from the 1990 Schwetzinger Festival, mounted in collaboration with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Cologne Opera, finds the Stuttgart Radio Orchestra playing well under the baton of Britten specialist Steuart Bedford, and soprano Helen Field impressive in the demanding role of the governess who comes to believe that evil forces endanger her young charges. Treble Samuel Linay sings beautifully as the doomed boy Miles, as does Machiko Obata as Flora, although she looks far too mature to be convincing as his young sibling. Richard Greager is good as the ghostly Quint without effacing memories of the incomparable Sir Peter Pears, who originated the role, and the physical production is starkly evocative. Presented in PCM stereo, the DVD also includes an introduction to the opera that is nothing more than a brief précis of the story, narrated in heavily accented English with accompanying stills. Despite the absence of other extras, however, this is a reliable performance of one of Britten's most powerful operas. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)