![2025 Season Graphic image](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2024/04/SFO-378_2025-web-slide_1350x600_E.jpg?resize=18%2C8&gravity)
The Turn of the Screw
In the shadowed corridors of a country estate, a young governess finds herself destabilized by mystery. As disturbing events occur, she grapples with increasing paranoia that plunges audiences into a realm of psychological suspense. This is an operatic ghost story for the ages.
Synopsis
Prologue
The tenor sings of an account he found in the hand of a young and inexperienced Governess who was sent to care for two children in a country house, on the stipulation that she not contact their guardian, a busy uncle in London.
Act I
Bly, a country house in England. On her journey to Bly, the young Governess ponders all the uncertainties of her new position. Will the children like her? Will she impress their guardian? When she arrives, she is welcomed by the children and Mrs. Grose, the sympathetic housekeeper. A letter arrives expelling Miles from school for “an injury to his friends.” The Governess decides not to discuss it with him.
She sees a strange man in the tower on the grounds. She describes him to Mrs. Grose, who tells her he must be Peter Quint, the valet to the children’s guardian, who “had his will morning and night” with Miles and with Miss Jessel, the former governess. Miss Jessel went away and died, and Quint died too. The Governess is horrified. She swears to protect the children, and Mrs. Grose promises to stand by her.
In Miles’s Latin lesson he sings a strange song on “Malo,” the word for “bad,” and asks if the Governess likes it. While sitting by the lake with Flora the Governess sees Miss Jessel, but Flora says nothing. Quint and Miss Jessel call to Miles and Flora at night. The Governess intervenes just as they are disappearing, and Miles says to her, “I am bad, aren’t I?”
Act II
The great hall. Quint and Miss Jessel converse bitterly, each confessing the desire for “a friend.” The Governess feels lost in a labyrinth. In the churchyard, the children play at being choristers, and the Governess determines to write to the guardian. Miss Jessel appears in the schoolroom, saying she is weary but unable to rest. The Governess writes to the guardian and leaves the letter on the desk. While she is talking with Miles in his bedroom, her candle goes out and Miles claims that it was he who extinguished it. Peter Quint calls to him. At Quint’s urging, Miles steals the letter. Later, while the adults are absorbed in Miles’s piano playing, Flora slips out to the lake to meet Miss Jessel. When the Governess and Mrs. Grose follow her and press her for answers, she denies seeing Miss Jessel (whom Mrs. Grose still cannot see).
Out of concern for the girl, Mrs. Grose takes Flora for the night, and by morning is determined to send her to her uncle. The two women realize that Miles has taken the letter. Mrs. Grose leaves with Flora. Now that they are alone, the Governess asks Miles to tell her what is on his mind. Quint appears and begins calling. The Governess bids Miles name the one who made him steal the letter, and Miles shouts, “Peter Quint, you devil!” He dies in her arms. She sings him a mournful “Malo.”
Artists
![Jacquelyn Stucker](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2024/04/Jacquelyn-Stucker.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Jacquelyn Stucker
Soprano
Governess
Jacquelyn Stucker
Hometown: Irmo, SC
2025 Season:
Governess, The Turn of the Screw
SFO Debut:
Oberto, Alcina, 2017
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2015, 2016
![Brenton Ryan](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/04/Brenton-Ryan-375-x-375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Brenton Ryan
Tenor
Peter Quint/Prologue
Brenton Ryan
Hometown: Sedalia, MO
2025 Season:
Peter Quint/Prologue, The Turn of the Screw
SFO Debut:
Dancing Master, Ariadne auf Naxos, 2018
Past Seasons:
CM, The Righteous, 2024
Don Basilio, The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Flute, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021
![Wendy Bryn Harmer headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/10/Wendy-Bryn-Harmer-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Wendy Bryn Harmer
Soprano
Miss Jessel
Wendy Bryn Harmer
Hometown: Roseville, CA
2025 Season:
Miss Jessel, The Turn of the Screw
Helmwige, Die Walküre
SFO Debut:
Marilyn, The Righteous, 2024
![Gemma New](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2024/04/Gemma-New-7--Roy-Cox.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Gemma New
Conductor
Gemma New
Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand
2025 Season:
The Turn of the Screw (SFO Debut)
![Louisa Muller](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/06/Louisa-Muller-v3.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Louisa Muller
Director
Louisa Muller
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
2025 Season:
The Turn of the Screw
SFO Debut:
La traviata, 2024
![Christopher Oram](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/04/Christopher-Oram-375-x-375-v2.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Christopher Oram
Scenic & Costume Designer
Christopher Oram
![Malcolm Rippeth](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/05/Malcolm-Rippeth-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Malcolm Rippeth
Lighting Designer
Malcolm Rippeth
Hometown: London, England
2025 Season:
The Turn of the Screw, Die Walküre
SFO Debut:
Capriccio, 2016
Past Seasons:
Der Rosenkavalier, 2024
Rusalka, 2023
Alcina, 2017
![Susanne Sheston headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/06/Susanne-Sheston-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Susanne Sheston
Chorus Master
Susanne Sheston
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
2025 Season
SFO Debut:
2008 Season
Past Seasons:
2024 Season
2023 Season
2022 Season
2021 Season
2019 Season
2018 Season
2017 Season
2016 Season
2015 Season
2014 Season
2013 Season
2012 Season
2011 Season
2010 Season
2009 Season