Maria Von Trapp (1905-1987) had her voice heard around the world. First, as a member of a highly popular touring group–and second, in theaters around the world as a rebel nun turned baroness.
Maria Von Trapp (1905-1987) had her voice heard around the world. First, as a member of a highly popular touring group–and second, in theaters around the world as a rebel nun turned baroness.
This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune in daily for stories of women whose lives inspired work that has shaped our culture.
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Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica.
This month, we're talking about muses -- women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration
Today’s Womanican had her voice heard around the world. First, as a member of a highly popular touring group– and second, in theaters around the world as a rebel nun turned baroness. Let’s talk about Maria Von Trapp.
Maria was born Maria Augusta Kutschera in Vienna, Austria, in 1905. She was her parents’ only child, and orphaned by age nine. A relative took her in. But Maria’s life became even more difficult.
Her new caretaker was abusive, and an atheist. It was a jarring change for Maria, who saw the Bible stories of her childhood transformed into “silly old legends” in her new home.
In the early 1920s, Maria attended Vienna’s State Teachers’ College of Progressive Education. One day, she attended what she thought was a concert of Bach music. It turned out to be a Palm Sunday service. The priest’s sermon swept Maria off her feet.
She graduated college and joined the Benedictine Abbey of Nonnberg in Salzburg. There, she found herself at odds with the cloistered nuns. But Maria persisted, acquiescing to the rules of the convent. Eventually, she developed a deep respect for the lessons she learned there. She’d later say the nuns worked “first to make a girl out of a boy, and then to make a nun out of that.”
In 1926, a decorated captain of the Austrian Navy came to the convent, looking for a teacher for one of his children. Baron Georg Von Trapp’s wife had died of scarlet fever four years earlier, leaving him in charge of his seven children. Maria was assigned to the case. She was 21 years old, bright and athletic, and loved singing. She quickly created unbreakable bonds with all seven of the Von Trapp children.
Maria was meant to work as a tutor for 10 months, after which she would enter the convent. Instead, she became a Baroness. Georg proposed to Maria, asking her to stay with him and become a mother to the children. It was this second request that convinced Maria to say yes. She’d later write, “I liked him, but didn’t love him. However, I loved the children… God must have made him word it that way because if he had only asked me to marry him I might not have said yes."
On November 26, 1927, Maria and Georg were married. There was a 25 year age difference between them. They had two children together over the next few years.
In the 1930s, the Von Trapp family suffered significant financial losses in the worldwide depression. Maria helped make ends meet by taking on household chores and bringing in borders. But the family needed a new income.
The answer came in 1935, when a priest, Father Franz Wasner, joined the Von Trapps for mass. He was a well respected musician. After hearing of Maria and the childrens’ interest in singing, he offered to coach them in choral arrangements. The following year, an opera diva heard them singing and suggested they enter the 1936 Salzburg Music Festival. They won first place.
Soon, the Von Trapps were singing Renaissance and Baroque music for huge crowds. Georg was hesitant for the family’s hobby to become an actual profession,, but he followed them on tour. They performed on radio, on tour contracts in Europe and America, and even for the chancellor of Austria.
But in 1938, Nazis annexed Austria. The Von Trapps knew their time in the country was running short. They’d been offered various incentives by the Nazi regime, from singing engagements to career opportunities for Georg and the children. The family refused them, and also turned down requests to fly the Nazi flag and to sing at Hitler’s birthday party.
The Von Trapps left for Italy on a concert engagement. They wouldn’t return to Austria as a family again.
After a short European tour, they set out for the U.S. . In January, Maria and Georg’s final child– the 10th Von Trapp child– was born in Philadelphia. When the family returned from a Scandinavian tour later that year, they were allegedly held at Ellis Island for investigation. Maria had excitedly said she would “never leave” America again, when asked how long she’d be staying in the country – even though her Visa was only good for 6 months. In the early 1940s, the family bought a farm in Stowe, Vermont. They cultivated the land and built a house on it between tours. They called the farm “Cor Unum,” or, “One Heart, One Soul.” In 1944, they opened the “Trapp Family Music Camp” out of their barn. The summer retreat operated for 12 seasons.
After Georg’s death in 1947, the group met less and less frequently. By 1948, all the children and Maria had citizenship, and began to get married, build careers, and move away from the cabin. In 1956, Maria and three of the children did missionary work in New Guinea. Most summers, Maria ran the Trapp Family Lodge as a tourist attraction.
In 1949, Maria published a memoir of her life, called “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.” A few years later, Maria sold the book rights to German film producers. She inadvertently signed away her own rights in the process, for just $9,000. The resulting German films were moderately successful, but the real boon came a few years later. American producers bought the rights from the German producers. In 1959, Rodgers and Hammerstein premiered The Sound of Music on Broadway. Six years later, Julie Andrews took on Maria Von Trapp’s name in one of the most well-loved movies of the era.
Maria and the Von Trapps saw a fraction of the film’s profits, and were virtually excluded from providing any input. Though she didn’t have major qualms with the film, she did feel that the fictional Von Trapps sang “lightweight music” and were oversimplified.
Maria died in 1987 at the age of 82.
All month, we’re highlighting muses. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!