MEDIATHEK

Birth, death, incest, adultery and betrayal:
The Miller’s Wife tells the tale of an unusual family setup.
Miller Bill Marner is forced into exile with his newborn son,
returning to his village 20 years later,
when a devastating family secret threatens his life.
A compelling traditional opera sung in English with echoes of Puccini.



Set in the beautiful surroundings of north-east 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 nearly 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 nearly 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.