The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) continues the spirit of Halloween with Benjamin Britten’s operatic thriller The Turn of the Screw. Described by Stephen King as “the quintessential ghost story,” the opera runs as part of CCM’s 2018-19 Mainstage Series on Nov. 15-18, 2018 in Patricia Corbett Theater.
Based on Henry James’ classic ghost-story novella with Myfanwy Piper’s libretto, The Turn of the Screw tells the story of a young governess hired to care for two orphaned children at an isolated English country house. Shortly after her arrival, she is haunted by the malicious ghosts of a former valet and his lover, who she fears are stalking her innocent charges. Determined to save the children, the governess battles the supernatural while struggling with the apparent complicity of the children.
Britten blends 12-tone technique, arresting motifs and stirring lyricism, as the “Screw” turns in this chilling tale of sexual repression and the corruption of innocence. For mature audiences. CCM Assistant Professor of Music Aik Khai Pung conducts, with stage direction by Vincent DeGeorge, CCM assistant professor and the Joseph Weinberger Chair of Acting for the Lyric Stage.
“I don’t usually spend a lot of time thinking about ghosts,” DeGeorge says. “However, Benjamin Britten has crafted an opera that has the ability to haunt you in the most unexpected of ways. Its thrilling score, complex characters and twisting storyline may make believers out of all of us.”
CCM Opera presents The Turn of the Screw on Nov. 15-18, 2018 in Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office; student discounts are available. The Turn of the Screw will last two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. It will be sung in English.
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Creative Team:
- Aik Khai Pung, conductor
- Vincent DeGeorge, director
- Jenny Doctor, dramaturg
- Mark Halpin, scenic designer
- Brandon Thompson*, costume designer
- Mikaela “Mickey” Acton*, production stage manager
- Marnee Porter*, wig designer
- Marie-France Lefebvre, musical preparation
- D’Arcry Smith, dialect coach
* CCM Student
Cast:
- Tyler Johnson as Prologue/Peter Quint cover
- Amber R. Monroe^, Hannah Consenz* as The Governess
- Mischa Sella^, Nicholas Asafiev-Holmes* as Miles
- Allison Anderson^, Amanda Olea* as Flora
- Chelsea Duval-Major^, Karis Tucker* as Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper
Salvatore Atti as Peter Quint, a former man-servant
Shannon Cochran^, Yuji Bae* as Miss Jessel, a former governess - Madeline Jentsch as Miles cover
- Anyea Farrar, Georgia Jacobson as Supernumeraries
Mischa Sella and Nicholas Asafiev-Holmes appear courtesy of the Cincinnati Boychoir.
^Thursday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 17
*Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18
Performance Times:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15
- 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16
- 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18
Location:
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets:
Ticket prices start at $32. Discounts are available for UC and non-UC students. Service charges may apply for online orders.
Student rush tickets will be available one hour before each performance to non-UC students, based on availability. UC students can receive one free student rush ticket with a valid Bearcat ID, based on availability.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online through CCM’s e-Box Office.
Parking and Directions:
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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Mainstage Season Production Sponsor: Macy’s
Opera Department Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Rosenthal
Opera Production Sponsor: Genevieve Smith
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THE TURN OF THE SCREW is presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. publisher and copyright owner.
Featured image at top: Photo/Mark Lyons
Story by CCM graduate student Alexandra Doyle
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