La Mortella is a study centre for gifted young musicians in search of excellence in the performing arts with special reference to the music of the composer Sir William Walton.

The garden, designed by Russell Page, has an important collection of Mediterranean and tropical plants including a conservatory which houses the Victoria Water Lily,Orchids and Aroids.

The Bocca is the link between the garden and the music. In the thirties John Piper designed a front curtain for performances of William Walton’s Facade entertainment to words by Edith Sitwell who recited her poems, using a megaphone, issuing from the large opening of the mouth. This curtain inspired Simon Verity’s sculpture of the Bocca in the Victoria House.

Lady Walton opens the gardens of La Mortella to the public on Tuesdays,Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays 09.00 to 19.00 from the 1st April to October. Every Saturday and Sunday there is a concert in the Recital Room by young musicians.

"All the electronic controls of lighting, temperature, fog and rain systems used in the tropical house were bought from Simply Control by Mail Order. Mike Nash devised the correct installation and we could not be happier with the results as indeed the flourishing condition of the plants, growing in this mini rainforest demonstrate".
Susana Walton

Sadly, Lady Walton passed away during 2009

La Mortella
80075 Forio,
Italy
Tel: (0039) 081 986220,
Fax (0039) 081 986237
e-mail: mortella@pointel.it
www.ischia.it/mortella