The Turn of the Screw : visual responses to Britten’s opera
by Jane Mackay
Commentary by Andrew Plant
Preface by James Bowman
Our initial venture is a volume of Jane Mackay’s evocative responses to Benjamin Britten’s opera The Turn of the Screw, together with commentary, introductory essay and music examples. Jane’s thirty-three original watercolours, one for each scene and variation of Britten’s masterpiece, met with great acclaim when first exhibited in Aldeburgh in 2004 and all were sold almost immediately. The book attracted much pre-publication attention and demand is expected to be high for such a desirable edition, which is limited to 300 copies, signed and numbered by the authors. The book was launched during the Aldeburgh Festival on 19 June 2007 and is issued in two formats: an Artist’s Edition (including an original watercolour) of 50 copies, 45 of which are for sale; and a Collectors’ Edition of 250 copies. The ISBN is 978-0-9555474-0-9.
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The disposition of two versions within one limited edition is an arrangement which we intend to follow for subsequent projects. We have many future plans, some quite tentative as yet, but are pondering the possibilities of the following:
The Rape of Lucretia : reflections on Britten’s opera. This will be the second volume of watercolours in a series devoted to the operatic works of Britten. It is hoped that a volume depicting A Midsummer Night’s Dream will follow.
Star Talk [working title] : a collection of responses to songs and music on cosmological subjects by Schubert, Finzi, Gurney, C.W. Orr and others
Red beneath the Harvest Moon : Jane Mackay’s journal of a study tour of China in 1975, with reference to the music of John Adams
Pour le temps de Noël : images from Poulenc’s four Christmas motets and Howells’ three Carol-Anthems
La nativité du Seigneur : nine meditations on Messiaen’s cycle for organ
We may also produce occasional small illustrated editions of individual poems.
Further information will be posted here as plans are confirmed.
