Widow of Oldham musical giant dies
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date published: 24 March 2010
HONOURED . . . Susana and husband William when he received the Freedom of the Borough in 1961
THE widow of one of Oldham’s most famous sons has died aged 83.
Lady Susana Walton devoted her 35-year marriage to composer Sir William Walton — recognised as one of the great men of British music — who was famed for his film scores and marches.
She honoured her late husband’s memory by setting up the William Walton Trust in Italy, which helps aspiring musicians, actors and dancers, where they settled in 1949. A private music festival is still held there in his honour.
Lady Walton — known for her love of hats — was also the patron and regular visitor to the Walton Festival which was held in Oldham for many years.
She was awarded the MBE in 2000 for her commitment to her husband’s legacy and her efforts to help young people.
Sir William was born in Werneth Hall Road in 1902 and studied at Christ Church, Oxford.
Largely self-taught as a composer, his scores included music for the Laurence Olivier film version of “Henry V”, “Crown Imperial” written for the coronation of King George VI and the opera “Troilus and Cressida”. He was knighted in 1951 and and made a Freeman of Oldham in 1961.
Walton met the 22-year-old met Susan Gil Basso, an Argentine secretary and interpreter, in Buenos Aries when he was 46.
They married in 1948, despite the reservations of both their families, after Walton proposed every day for a fortnight.
He was a notorious womaniser but she learned to be good humoured about his affairs and they settled on the volcanic island of Ischila in the Bay of Naples, where she created one of the world’s most famous gardens.
They entertained visitors such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Charlie Chaplin at their home La Mortella, which Lady Walton dedicated as a living memorial to her husband after his death in 1983.
