Simon Heffer, reporting for Telegraph.co.uk, has written an interesting note on the passing of Lady Walton, widow of the British composer, Sir William Walton (1902-1982). Walton was 46 when he met his 20 year old wife to be in Argentina. He proposed later that evening. Unfortunately, the fairy tale wedding did not extend into the marriage. It appears he treated her "monstrously" while feeding an enormous ego as "pet" to several benefactors and "the gigolo of various well-heeled women." Heffer writes that "his stomach never rumbled" as a kept man, hence, his musical output, though excellent early on and exhibiting great promise, ended being quite meager. Here is an example of that excellence:
Through it all, Lady Walton remained loving and loyal, and following his death in 1982, worked mightily to keep his music alive. Seems to be characteristic of several widows of English composers in the 20th century. Link here to see what she leaves behind for Sir William's legacy, the world of classical music, and her love of gardening.
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