Britten’s operas have an interesting history at Glyndebourne, beginning with the premiere of The Rape of Lucretia (1946) with Kathleen Ferrier as Lucretia.

Glyndebourne also premiered Albert Herring (1947), then 34 years of the Glyndebourne Festival elapsed until another of Britten’s operas, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was staged in 1981. It took over 50 years to stage The Turn of the Screw which, after a touring production in 2006, transferred to the Festival in 2007, from where this recording is captured.

Every role is beautifully cast, including tenor William Burden as both Prologue and Peter Quint, and as the convincing troubled Governess. Camilla TillingAnne-Marie Owens is an extremely affable Mrs Grose, her voice endearing and warm.

Joanna Songi is a feisty and resentful Flora, Christopher Sladdin’s boy treble voice hauntingly beautiful, and a sure footed Emma Bell as Miss Jessel, portrayed with what is clearly a mental state progressive fragmentation.

This recording is aided in no small part by conductor Edward Gardner whose intense understanding of the score is made all the more satisfying by the faultless playing of the ensemble from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

This recording is certain to leave listeners troubled. It would not be the recording it is if it did not do so - the mood dark and chilling while maintaining an element of thrill.

Cast:
- Prologue/Peter Quint: William Burden (tenor)
- Governess: Camilla Tilling (soprano)
- Flora: Joanna Songi (soprano)
- Miles: Christopher Sladdin (treble)
- Mrs Grose: Anne-Marie Owens (mezzo-soprano)
- Miss Jessel: Emma Bell (soprano)

‘The conducting of Edward Gardner is wonderfully alert and the playing by the LPO immaculate’ - Daily Telegraph, August 2007

‘He [Edward Gardner] has penetrated right inside this score…’ - The Times, August 2007

‘Britten’s marvellous score was played with virtuosic musicianship by members of the London Philharmonic, and the conductor Edward Gardner showed… that he is set to become the next major Britten interpreter.’ -Sunday Telegraph, August 2007