La Monnaie / De Munt LA MONNAIE / DE MUNT
Opera

The Turn of the Screw
Benjamin Britten

Presentation

The ghost wants to play, but the children fear the game.

Nothing is what it seems at the old English country house Bly. When a new governess takes up her position, she is told never to leave the children alone! The shocking confrontation with the ghosts of her predecessor and a certain Peter Quint soon makes it clear to her why. As protecting the children becomes increasingly difficult, disturbing questions arise: What horrible acts took place before her arrival? How innocent are the children? And are you really seeing what’s before your eyes? 

Drawing on Henry James’s intriguing ghost story, Benjamin Britten composed a psychological thriller in chamber opera format with The Turn of the Screw. Director Andrea Breth keeps the mystery intact, turning House Bly into a labyrinth in which the characters are not the only ones to lose themselves. Together with conductor Antonio Méndez, she will turn the screw on your imagination as far as it goes…

Are you under 30? Then attend this opera on the 'Young Opera' night (10.5.2024) and enjoy a free reception and exclusive introduction.

Dates & tickets

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Location

La Monnaie

Prices

Start ticket sale 15.3.2024

Language

Sung in English
Surtitles in Dutch and French

Presentation

Introductory talks 45' before the start of the performance: in Dutch by Frederic Delmotte (Bonbonnière) and in French by Benoit Van Langenhove (Grand Foyer)

Gallery

Gallery

Dates & tickets

Dates

Cast
Cast

Opera in a prologue and two acts, op.54 (1954)
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper after a story by Henry James
Music by Benjamin Britten
Première Teatro La Fenice Venezia, 19.9.1954

Conductor ANTONIO MÉNDEZ Director ANDREA BRETH

Set Designer RAIMUND ORFEO VOIGT Costume Designer CARLA TETI Lighting Designer ALEXANDER KOPPELMANN Dramaturge KLAUS BERTISCH

Prologue ED LYON Governess SALLY MATTHEWS Mrs Grose CAROLE WILSON Miss Jessel ALLISON COOK Peter Quint JULIAN HUBBARD Flora KATHARINA BIERWEILER Miles Soloist of La Monnaie Children’s Chorus

La Monnaie Chamber Orchestra

ProductionLA MONNAIE