Theater Ulm: Workshop on Britten's The Turn of the Screw Deepens the Listening Experience


Date and Time
Artist
Location
Price
About this Event
Mood
Venue Type
Between Opera and Literature: Intensive Workshop on Britten's The Turn of the Screw
An evening for fine ears and attentive readers: At the Theater Ulm, you will deepen the background, narratives, and the staging concept of Benjamin Britten's chamber opera The Turn of the Screw – based on Henry James' enigmatic novella from 1898. A concentrated literary experience meets musical analysis, close to stage and practice.
Work in Focus: From Ghost Story to Musical Stage
Henry James' source explores ambivalence, unreliability, and psychological horror; Britten's opera (premiere in 1954 in Venice) translates this ambiguity into a precise musical dramaturgy with leitmotifs and crystalline sound language. In the workshop, we will shed light on the genre, style, and narratives of both versions – from Victorian Gothic to modern opera score – and discuss their literary quality in cultural discourse.
Reading Atmosphere and Author Encounter on Stage
Without a classic reading, but with scenic and musical insights, an intimate reading atmosphere emerges: voices, language, and musical lines become audible. Thus, the author encounter grows doubly – with James' textual world and Britten's linguistic artistry – sharpening the understanding of character constellations, motifs, and interpretative spaces.
From the Rehearsal Room to the Auditorium: Staging, Style, Context
From the perspective of the stage, you will learn about directorial thoughts, spatial concepts, and sound balance. Terms like motif development, libretto analysis, scenic economy, and interpretative openness will be vividly illustrated. The result: a literary experience that condenses the later performance and profoundly shapes your perception of the opera.
Practical Insights: Questions, Exchange, Preparation
The workshop creates space for questions about text, music, and staging. You will receive curated insights into the reception of the novella, Britten's biographical work, and its historical context. Thus, attending the premiere becomes an informed discovery rather than just a mere event.
Conclusion: Those who appreciate the double perspective of literature and music theater will experience in Ulm a compact, knowledgeable format with a high density of context and insights – ideal for experiencing The Turn of the Screw with sharpened senses, open ears, and a literary compass live.
Official Channels of Henry James:
- Instagram: No official profile found
- Facebook: No official profile found
- Website: No official profile found
- Publisher: No official profile found
Sources:
- Theater Ulm – Workshop: The Turn of the Screw
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – The Turn of the Screw (Novella), Henry James
- Operabase – The Turn of the Screw, Theater Ulm Season 2026
- English National Opera – Introduction to Britten's The Turn of the Screw
- Theater Ulm – Season Overview 2025/26
- City of Ulm – Theater Ulm Information and Accessibility










