The Miller's Wife: About The Opera

Set in the beautiful surroundings of northeast Essex, The Miller's Wife is an enticing new opera that weaves its way through every human emotion. Sung in English, it is a traditional opera with memorable melodies and potent arias enhanced by warm romantic orchestration that has echoes of Puccini with a modern twist.

Bill Marner the miller has always wanted a child of his own but his wife Winnie is too infirm to bear children. So, he decides to have a child with her carer Maude, who is also his mistress. Forced to flee from the village, Bill and his son William do not return for more than twenty years. But when they do Bill wants to take his own life when he discovers that William is not his son after all. So, will a secret that has been kept for over twenty years save William's plans to marry Maude's daughter Jessie and ultimately Bill's life?

The Miller's Wife deals with birth, death and marriage, incest, adultery, disloyalty and betrayal. There is also trust, compassion, love and a bit of humour - all fuelled by the miller's desire to have a child.