Susana, Lady Walton
Encyclopedia
Susana, Lady Walton, MBE (born Susana Valeria Rosa Maria Gil Passo) (30 August 1926 – 21 March 2010) was the wife of the composer Sir William Walton
(1902–1983). She was a writer, and the creator of the gardens of La Mortella.
She was the daughter of a prominent Argentinian lawyer, Dr. Enrique Gil. She was working at the British Council
in Buenos Aires
when she met Walton in September 1948. They married in December 1948. The couple settled on the Italian island of Ischia
where she created the gardens of La Mortella
. The residence hosted many celebrities, including Laurence Olivier
and Vivien Leigh
, Hans Werner Henze
, W. H. Auden
, Terence Rattigan
, Binkie Beaumont
, Maria Callas
and Charlie Chaplin
. It was there that Walton died on 8 March 1983.
She played alongside her husband in Walton's only acting role; he played King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony
in the 1983 miniseries, Richard Wagner
, directed by Tony Palmer
, while Lady Walton "stood at his side in regal attire" as the King's wife (Maria Anna of Bavaria
). She also appeared in Ken Russell
's Classic Widows (1995) and Palmer's At the Haunted End of the Day.
Shortly after her marriage she had an abortion at Walton's insistence, as he did not want any children. She wrote two books and created the William Walton Foundation in 1983.
Lady Walton was decorated with an honorary degree from the University of Nottingham
, the MBE
in 2000 and the title of Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana. In 1990 she made a well received recording of Walton's Façade.
She died on 21 March 2010, aged 83, from natural causes. She is survived by a brother, Harry, and several nieces and nephews.
William Walton
Sir William Turner Walton OM was an English composer. During a sixty-year career, he wrote music in several classical genres and styles, from film scores to opera...
(1902–1983). She was a writer, and the creator of the gardens of La Mortella.
She was the daughter of a prominent Argentinian lawyer, Dr. Enrique Gil. She was working at the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
when she met Walton in September 1948. They married in December 1948. The couple settled on the Italian island of Ischia
Ischia
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, about 30 km from the city of Naples. It is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands. Roughly trapezoidal in shape, it measures around 10 km east to west and 7 km north to south and has...
where she created the gardens of La Mortella
La Mortella
La Mortella is a private garden in the island of Ischia, Italy. It was first opened to the public in 1992. It was created by Susana Walton , wife of the composer William Walton, in 1950 as the main residence for the couple....
. The residence hosted many celebrities, including Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
and Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh, Lady Olivier was an English actress. She won the Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire , a role she also played on stage in London's West End, as well as for her portrayal of the southern belle Scarlett O'Hara, alongside Clark...
, Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze is a German composer of prodigious output best known for "his consistent cultivation of music for the theatre throughout his life"...
, W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, Terence Rattigan
Terence Rattigan
Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan CBE was one of England's most popular 20th-century dramatists. His plays are generally set in an upper-middle-class background...
, Binkie Beaumont
Binkie Beaumont
Hugh 'Binkie' Beaumont was a British theatre manager and producer, referred to as the "Eminence Grise" of the West End Theatre. He was one of the most successful manager-producers in the West End during the middle of the 20th century...
, Maria Callas
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano and one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. She combined an impressive bel canto technique, a wide-ranging voice and great dramatic gifts...
and Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
. It was there that Walton died on 8 March 1983.
She played alongside her husband in Walton's only acting role; he played King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony
Frederick Augustus II of Saxony
Frederick Augustus II |Tyrol]], 9 August 1854) was King of Saxony and a member of the House of Wettin.He was the eldest son of Maximilian, Prince of Saxony --younger son of the Elector Frederick Christian of Saxony—by his...
in the 1983 miniseries, Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
, directed by Tony Palmer
Tony Palmer
Tony Palmer is an American football guard in the National Football League who is currently a free agent. The former University of Missouri guard who was selected by the St. Louis Rams. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers after being cut in the 2006 preseason by St. Louis...
, while Lady Walton "stood at his side in regal attire" as the King's wife (Maria Anna of Bavaria
Maria Anna of Bavaria (1805-1877)
- Biography :Maria Anna was the daughter of Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife Karoline of Baden. She was the identical twin sister of Princess Sophie of Bavaria, mother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico....
). She also appeared in Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
's Classic Widows (1995) and Palmer's At the Haunted End of the Day.
Shortly after her marriage she had an abortion at Walton's insistence, as he did not want any children. She wrote two books and created the William Walton Foundation in 1983.
Lady Walton was decorated with an honorary degree from the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, the MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in 2000 and the title of Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana. In 1990 she made a well received recording of Walton's Façade.
She died on 21 March 2010, aged 83, from natural causes. She is survived by a brother, Harry, and several nieces and nephews.
Books
- Walton, Susana. Behind the Facade (1988)
- Walton, Susana. La Mortella, An Italian Garden Paradise (2002)