Sarah Mitchell
The Trapp Family, also known as the von Trapp Family, was a singing group formed from the family of former Austrian naval commander Georg von Trapp. The family's story inspired a memoir, two German films, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical The Sound of Music. The family's matriarch, Maria von Trapp, was a devout Catholic and wrote a book about the family's Catholic upbringing. The von Trapp family was instructed in music by a Catholic priest, Franz Wasner, who became the group's musical director. Maria von Trapp was also recognised by the Pope for her work with needy Austrians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholic |
| Maria's occupation before joining the family | Postulant at a Benedictine convent in Salzburg, Austria |
| Maria's occupation after joining the family | Governess, tutor, singer |
| Maria's reason for marrying Georg | Love for the children, God's will |
| Georg's occupation | Officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy |
| Number of children with Agathe Whitehead | 7 |
| Number of children with Maria | 3 |
| Awards received by the family | Benemerenti Medal, Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Catholic Mother of the Year in the United States, Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria, Siena Medal, Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, Egon Ranshofen Wertheimer Prize |
| Singing group name | Trapp Family Singers |
| Date of immigration to the United States | September 7, 1939 |
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What You'll Learn
Maria von Trapp's book provides inspiration for Catholic parents
Maria von Trapp, the woman behind the popular musical "The Sound of Music", has written a book that provides inspiration for Catholic parents. The book, titled "Around the Year with the von Trapp Family", was first published in 1955 and has since been reprinted for modern Catholic families. It offers a glimpse into the year-round Christian traditions that Maria cherished, creating a warm and inviting Catholic home for her large family.
In the book, Maria shares the songs they sang for feasts and holidays, as well as her personal recipes for traditional holiday foods. She also includes stories and games to delight children and offers suggestions for transforming events such as anniversaries, baptisms, birthdays, and even funerals into celebrations in the Lord. The book highlights the theme of family unity, encouraging the integration of the whole family into traditions and activities, regardless of age.
Maria von Trapp's own life story, as depicted in her autobiography "Maria: My Own Story", adds depth to her insights as a Catholic parent. Despite initially wanting to become a nun, she married Captain von Trapp, a World War I veteran and widower, and became a governess to his children. She writes about her struggles with accepting the proposal, noting that she sought guidance from the mother abbess at Nonnberg Abbey. Maria and the Captain had three children together, and she also played a significant role in the lives of his other children from a previous marriage.
Maria's book provides practical ideas and wisdom for Catholic parents seeking to incorporate Catholic traditions and practices into their daily lives. It is beautifully illustrated by her daughter Rosemary and includes seasonal songs, although some reviewers noted the absence of guitar chords and piano arrangements. The book has received praise for its inspirational content, with readers appreciating the portrayal of Maria's Christian faith and its focus on family unity.
Overall, "Around the Year with the von Trapp Family" serves as a valuable resource for Catholic parents wishing to instill a rich and solid Catholic upbringing in their children, while also celebrating the joys and triumphs of family life.
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Maria was a postulant at a Benedictine convent
Maria von Trapp, whose life inspired the musical and film The Sound of Music, was indeed a postulant at a Benedictine convent in Salzburg, Austria. She was hired by Georg von Trapp in 1926 as a tutor for his daughter, Maria, who was recovering from scarlet fever. Maria Augusta Kutschera, a novice from the nearby Nonnberg Abbey, was 25 years younger than Georg, and they married in 1927, 11 years before the family left Austria.
Maria had wanted to be a nun and was not in love with Georg, but she loved his children. She wrote in her autobiography:
> "I really and truly was not in love. I liked him but didn't love him. However, I loved the children, so in a way I really married the children. By and by I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after."
Maria and Georg fell in love, got married, and sang with the family at festivals all over Europe. They had three children together: Rosmarie, Eleonore ("Lorli"), and Johannes. The family became the Trapp Family Singers, a respected Austrian singing group. They also performed in the United States before immigrating there permanently to escape the Nazis. In the US, they became well-known as the "Trapp Family Singers".
Maria's book, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, published in 1949, has been a source of inspiration for many Catholic parents. It includes seasonal songs, many with lines for harmonizing with the melody, and illustrations by her daughter, Rosemary. It also provides valuable insights into the family's Catholic traditions and practices, which have been passed down through the generations.
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The family was instructed in music by a Catholic priest, Franz Wasner
The von Trapp family was Catholic. Maria von Trapp, the matriarch of the family, was a Catholic. She was a nun at Nonnberg Abbey before she married Georg von Trapp. Maria's book, 'Around the Year with the von Trapp Family', is filled with seasonal songs and illustrations by her daughter. It is a source of inspiration for Catholic parents who want to incorporate Catholic traditions and practices into their daily lives. The von Trapp family's story, which later served as the basis for the musical 'The Sound of Music', has enchanted people of all faiths.
The von Trapp family was instructed in music by a Catholic priest, Franz Wasner. In 1935, the family was singing at the local church in Aigen, where they met the young priest, Dr Franz Wasner. He taught them sacred music and encouraged their musical progress. Wasner became the group's musical director.
The von Trapp family was a respected Austrian singing group. They achieved fame in their original singing career in their native Austria during the interwar period. They performed in the United States before immigrating there permanently to escape the deteriorating situation in Austria leading up to World War II. In the US, they became well known as the "Trapp Family Singers". The family's singing career began when soprano Lotte Lehmann heard them sing and suggested they perform at concerts. After performing at a festival in 1935, they became a popular touring act.
The von Trapp family's musical talents were also recognised by Pope Pius XII, who, in 1949, awarded them the Benemerenti Medal in recognition of the benefits of the Trapp Family Austrian Relief for needy Austrians. In 1956, Maria von Trapp was named Catholic Mother of the Year in the United States. The von Trapp family received several other awards, including the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art in 1967.
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The family fled Austria after the Nazi takeover
The von Trapp family was well-known in Austria as a singing group during the interwar period. However, their lives changed drastically when Adolf Hitler invaded Austria in 1938. The family, led by patriarch Georg von Trapp, strongly opposed the Nazi regime and its ideologies. They witnessed the growing hostility towards Jewish children and the use of children against their parents, which went against their religious beliefs. Georg von Trapp refused to fly the Nazi flag on their house and declined a naval command and an invitation to sing at Hitler's birthday party.
The family also became aware of the Nazis' anti-religious propaganda and the pervasive fear that those around them could be acting as spies. Understanding the dangers of refusing three successive offers from Hitler, Georg von Trapp summoned his children and warned them that they must choose between comfort and honour. They decided to emigrate from Nazi Austria, leaving behind their friends, family, estate, and possessions.
The von Trapps first travelled to Italy, where they had citizenship due to Georg's place of birth, and then on to London. They had a contract with an American booking agent, so they contacted the agent from Italy and requested fare to America. The family then travelled to the United States, where they continued their singing career as the "Trapp Family Singers". They settled in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941, and purchased a 660-acre farm the following year, converting it into the Trapp Family Lodge. After World War II, the family demonstrated their commitment to their Catholic faith and their former homeland by founding the Trapp Family Austrian Relief fund, which sent food and clothing to impoverished Austrians.
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Georg von Trapp was a World War I veteran
By the end of World War I, von Trapp was the most decorated naval officer in Austria-Hungary, receiving numerous honours, including the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. He was also promoted to Korvettenkapitän (equivalent to Lieutenant Commander) in 1918 and put in command of a submarine base in the Gulf of Kotor.
Following the war, von Trapp returned to his family but suffered personal tragedy when his first wife died of scarlet fever in 1922. He married his second wife, Maria Augusta Kutschera, in 1927. Maria wrote in her autobiography that she was not in love with Georg but loved his children, and they went on to have three children together.
In 1938, von Trapp was offered a commission in the German Navy after the German takeover of Austria, but he declined due to his opposition to Nazi ideology. He also refused a request for his family choir to perform at Hitler's birthday concert. As a result, the family came under increasing persecution from the Nazis, and they eventually fled Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Von Trapp family were Catholic.
Maria von Trapp, who joined the family in 1926, was a Catholic. She was a nun at Nonnberg Abbey and wrote a book that is filled with seasonal songs, many with lines for harmonizing with the melody. The family was also instructed in music by a Catholic priest, Franz Wasner.
The Von Trapp family was famous for being a respected Austrian singing group. They were known as the "Trapp Family Singers" and performed across Europe and the United States.
In 1935, the Von Trapp family lost most of their fortune due to the failure of an Austrian bank. Trapp had withdrawn most of his money from a bank in London and deposited it in the Austrian bank to support his friend in the banking business. However, the bank failed, wiping out most of the family's wealth.
Yes, the Von Trapp family experienced life under the Nazis after the annexation of Austria by Germany in March 1938. They witnessed hostility toward Jewish children and the use of children against their parents. Georg von Trapp was offered a commission in the German Navy, which he declined. The family eventually fled Austria and immigrated to the United States to escape the Nazi regime.
