Britten: The Turn of the Screw, Op. 54

Andrew Kennedy (Prologue, Peter Quint), Sally Matthews (Governess), Michael Clayton-Jolly (Miles), Lucy Hall (Flora), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (Mrs Grose) & Katherine Broderick (Miss Jessel) London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Farnes Released in the Britten anniversary year, Richard Farnes, the Music Director of Opera North who led their critically acclaimed production of 'The Turn of the Screw' in 2010, conducts an all-English cast in Britten s most ingeniously crafted opera, including Andrew Kennedy, Sally Matthews, and 11-year old Michael Clayton-Jolly in the role of Miles. Originally scheduled to be conducted by Sir Colin Davis, Richard Farnes was the natural replacement, himself having been mentored by the late conductor. In 1932, the 18-year-old Britten heard on the radio a wonderful, impressive but terribly eerie and scary play 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. Britten s version of the ghost story, premiered in 1954, is a chamber opera in a prologue and two acts. The opera tells the story of a Governess and a housekeeper, Mrs Grose, who vow to protect two children, Miles and Flora, from the strange happenings that occur in the grounds of their English country house. Review ***** Filling in for concerts to have been conducted by the late Colin Davis, Farnes directs a taut, crisply-detailed account of Britten s masterpiece. His cast is perfect: Kennedy a slyly seductive Quint; Matthews spot on in conveying the Governess s growing horror and resolve; as telling a Flora and Miles as any on disc. Excellent Barbican sound. --Classical Music (UK) Richard Farnes, the current Music Director of Opera North, directs a detailed and well-paced performance in which the collective and individual playing of his chamber orchestra made up of 17 members of the LSO could hardly be bettered ... The two-disc set includes informative and thought-provoking notes on the work by Gavin Plumley as well as the full libretto. Listeners (and viewers) are almost spoilt for choice with the many very fine recordings of this opera currently available (eleven at a last count, including that conducted by the composer), but this new one definitely deserves inclusion amongst the best of them. --Classical CD Review (UK) 'This LSO Live SACD has quite excellent sound and features both a strong cast and fine orchestral playing. --classical.net Opera Now Choice ***** 'Recorded live from concert performances at the Barbican in 2013, this is a strong release. …The orchestra responds with some exquisite playing and the fifteen Variations really help ratchet up the tension.' --Opera Now (UK)