In “The Turn of the Screw,” ghosts, murder and music take center stage. The opera starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Shaver Theatre with performances running through the weekend.

Based on the novella by Henry James and orchestrated by Benjamin Britten, the opera tells the story of a governess and two children who find themselves living in a haunted house. According to a news release, the opera, which is sung in English, promises supernatural and psychological suspense.

The story is brought to life by several of the University’s vocal performance majors, including doctoral student Megan Barrera, who plays the part of Miss Jessel in Friday’s and Sunday’s performances.

“The show is hauntingly beautiful,” Barrera said. “[Composer] Benjamin Britten did a wonderful job of creating a story in a concise manner — every scene is there for a reason.”

In addition to the students singing onstage and playing in the orchestra is 13-year-old William McGibney, the soprano playing the part of Miles, one of the young children central to the story.

Barrera said it was a pleasure to work with someone so talented, and one of the young soprano’s staging ideas was implemented into the final show’s staging.

“William was brilliant, incredibly professional and very talented,” said theater and political science senior Peter Nictakis, the production stage manager of the show.

Nictakis’ job is to help ensure things run as smoothly as possible so director Dugg McDonough’s vision is successfully brought to the stage. He said the show is incredibly complex and offers a personal experience for the audience, as it deals with personal struggle and characters with haunted pasts.

Barrera said the show is sure to be a treat for anyone looking to get creeped out. Beyond the supernatural and psychological elements, however, the show promises great music, intricate costumes and a compelling story of two childrens’ loss of innocence.

“The show is hauntingly beautiful.”