The William Walton La Mortella Trust

William Walton expressed a desire to support young musicians, just as he himself had been supported in his youth by numerous patrons. Following his death, Lady Walton established the William Walton Trust in 1984—later renamed the William Walton La Mortella Trust—a charity dedicated to promoting musical education, supporting talented musicians, disseminating Walton’s music worldwide, and making his lesser-known works more accessible to the general public.

Since 1990, the Trust has been working with its Italian counterpart, the Fondazione Walton, also established by Lady Walton. The Trust sponsored the complete recording of Walton's works, completed in 1995, and promoted the complete publication of Walton's entire musical output in collaboration with Oxford University Press, the Walton Edition. In the United Kingdom, the Trust collaborates with several prestigious institutions, orchestras, musical ensembles, and music schools, and provides scholarships and grants in the music field.

In Italy, in the beautiful setting of the Giardini la Mortella, Walton's beloved Italian estate on the island of Ischia, the Trust and the Foundation collaborate closely to carry on Lady Walton's legacy through the management of the property, which includes the renowned Garden, the Museum, and the Archive. The Walton Archive, opened in 1990, provides valuable resources for scholars and enthusiasts, while the Museum displays memorabilia and objects related to William and Lady Walton. Here, concerts and masterclasses for music students and young musicians aged 18 to 32 are held. The musicians come from the best music schools in Italy and abroad, to participate in the chamber music season curated by Lina Tufano and the Festival delle Orchestre Giovanili, and the symphonic music season at the Teatro Greco, curated by Caroline Howard. The Trust also supports publications on Walton and engages in music education projects with schools.

The Walton Centenary celebrations in 2002 showcased the significance of Walton's work through various performances and events, underscoring the Trust's continued dedication to education and engagement with the musical community. In 2026, the Trust will mark the centenary of the birth of Susana, Lady Walton, with special events celebrating her immeasurable work at La Mortella Gardens and her role in keeping her husband's legacy alive.