The Boston Lyric Opera’s Opera Annex: The Turn of the Screw

Opera companies are increasingly looking to lure younger and more diverse audiences.   This season, the Boston Lyric Opera is introducing “Opera Annex”, an opera in a non-traditional  setting, fully staged with orchestra,  and  with lower ticket prices. It is an exciting new initiative. Chosen to launch the concept is the Turn of the Screw, Benjamin Britten’s haunting tale based on Henry James’ novella of the same title.  

Set in the English countryside,  it is the story of  two parentless children and a governess haunted by ghosts.  The setting is the appropriately spooky Castle at the Park Plaza Hotel- the gray granite edifice that dominates Park Square which dates from 1891.  The Turn of the Screw is an English opera, so no need for fans to rely on sur-titles or  rusty high school foreign language skills.  And it will be a multi-media production with a live video-feed of the action behind the singers. Very cool.

Boston Lyric Opera’s Turn of the Screw at The Castle at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers (130 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-542-6772)(Map)

Performances February 1 (Preview), 3, 5 and 6 at 7:30 PM, tickets: $39-$85

Set model credit:Andrew Lieberman for the BLO