William Walton

Sir William Turner Walton (29 March 1902 – 8 March 1983) was an English composer known for his contributions to various classical genres and styles. He composed music for films, operas, and orchestras throughout his sixty-year career. Notable works include Façade, the cantata Belshazzar's Feast, the Viola Concerto, the First Symphony, and the coronation marches Crown Imperial and Orb and Sceptre. Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Walton was the son of a musician and received a cultural education from the Sitwell siblings. His collaboration with Edith Sitwell on the ballet score Façade garnered both initial controversy and subsequent popularity. In his later years, Walton resided on the Italian island of Ischia with his wife Susana.