The Turn of the Screw (opera) The Turn of the Screw (opera) The Turn of the Screw is a 20th-century English chamber opera composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by Myfanwy Piper, "wife of the artist John Piper, who had been a friend of the composer since 1935 and had provided designs for several of the operas". The libretto is based on the novella "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. The opera was commissioned by the Venice Biennale and given its world premiere on 14 September 1954, at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice. The original recording was made during that year, with the
James Baker (composer) James Baker (composer) James Baker is an American electro-acoustic composer, percussionist and conductor. James Baker graduated with degrees in music from SUNY Purchase and Juilliard, where he studied percussion and conducting. He began a long time collaboration with choreographer Tere O'Connor and has composed numerous works for Tere O'Connor Dance, including Bessie Award winner "Heaven Up North". He was also the composer for "Like Two Kevins" for the Lyon Opera Ballet. His works have been performed internationally. Baker works as Principal Percussionist for the New York City Ballet Orchestra and serves as director of the Percussion Ensemble at the New