Tuesday, September 24, 2:00 - 3:30 pm (MDT)
Santa Fe Main Library, Community Room
145 Washington Ave, Santa Fe
In the summer of 2025, the Santa Fe Opera will mount a production of The Turn of the Screw an opera by Benjamin Britten. The opera is an adaptation of the American author Henry James’s Gothic novella of the same name. Henry James, revered by readers and other notable writers, crafted a spine-chilling story meant to mesmerize and terrify his readers.
Vivace will meet in the Community Room on the second floor of the main branch of the Santa Fe Main Library on Tuesday, September 24 from 2:00-3:30 pm to discuss James’s novella. The discussion will cover the elements of Gothic horror fiction, salient elements of the life and times of this complex writer, and a brief look at the written tale versus the opera by Britten. The novella has been adapted for the stage and the movies many times. If you do not mind experiencing a few goosebumps, watch the 1961 film The Innocents starring Deborah Carr and Michael Redgrave, which is based on James’s novella. Truman Capote co-wrote the screenplay for the film. Two interesting (and tamer versions) were released in 1999 and 2009 and starred Colin Firth and Jodhi May (1999) and two Downton Abby alum, Michelle Dockerty and Dan Stevens (2009).
Dr. Bernadette Snider will be the facilitator. She suggests that you buy an annotated edition of The Turn of The Screw to read background notes about the author, Gothic horror fiction, and related facts about the era in which the novella was written.
While there is no cost to attend Vivace, registration is required.
Deadline for registration is Tuesday, September 17 at 4:00 pm.