The Von Trapp Family's Return To Austria: Revisited

The Von Trapp family never returned to live in Austria, but one of the children, Johanna, did eventually move back. The family left Austria in 1938 due to the Nazi annexation of the country and the threat this posed to their safety. They travelled to Italy, London, and then to the United States, where they became well-known as the Trapp Family Singers. They settled in Vermont and performed together until 1957, when the group disbanded.

The von Trapps' reasons for leaving Austria

The von Trapp family left Austria for several reasons, primarily to escape the Nazi regime and the deteriorating situation in Austria leading up to World War II. Here are some detailed reasons for their departure:

Political and Religious Reasons:

• Annexation of Austria by Hitler: In 1938, Adolf Hitler annexed Austria, and the von Trapps, opposed to the Nazi regime, realized their values were incompatible with the prevailing ideology. They refused to fly the Nazi flag on their house and declined offers of a naval command and a performance at Hitler's birthday party.
• Anti-religious Propaganda: The von Trapps were aware of the Nazis' anti-religious propaganda and policies, which conflicted with their own strong religious beliefs and practices.
• Fear of Espionage: They felt a pervasive fear that those around them could be acting as spies for the Nazis, creating an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion.
• Brainwashing of Children: They were concerned about the brainwashing of children against their parents, which was a common tactic used by the Nazis to gain control and influence over the younger generation.

Personal and Financial Reasons:

• Loss of Wealth: The von Trapps had lost most of their fortune in the 1935 banking collapse in Austria, which affected their financial stability and may have influenced their decision to leave.
• Compromising Principles: The family weighed the enticements offered by the Nazis, such as greater fame as a singing group and career opportunities, against their own principles and values. They ultimately decided they could not compromise their beliefs and had to leave.
• Safety and Freedom: With sealed borders and the impending outbreak of World War II, the von Trapps prioritized their safety and freedom, choosing to leave their estate and possessions behind to protect themselves and their spiritual wealth.

The von Trapps' decision to leave Austria was a difficult one, but they ultimately chose to prioritize their values, freedom, and safety over material possessions and fame.

The von Trapps' escape from Austria

The von Trapp family's escape from Austria was precipitated by the annexation of Austria by Adolf Hitler in 1938. The family, led by former Austrian naval commander Georg von Trapp, decided to leave, first heading to Italy, where they had citizenship due to Georg's birthplace, Zadar, becoming part of Italian territory in 1920.

The family's escape was not as dramatic as depicted in the film "The Sound of Music." In reality, they simply exited the gate at the rear of their villa and crossed the railroad tracks to board a train to Italy. They left just in time, as the Austrian borders were sealed the next day. The family's departure was witnessed by Salzburg residents, who saw off Georg, his pregnant wife Maria, and their nine children, who were travelling with suitcases under the guise of a family vacation.

From Italy, the family went to London and then to the United States, where they stayed until their visas expired. They returned to the US on September 7, 1939, after a brief tour of Scandinavia, and applied for immigrant status. They had lost most of their fortune in the 1935 banking collapse in Austria and had very little money when they arrived in the US. They earned money by performing and touring nationally and internationally, first as the "Trapp Family Choir" and then as the "Trapp Family Singers."

The von Trapps eventually settled in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941, where they purchased a 660-acre farm and converted it into the Trapp Family Lodge. They performed their unique blend of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals to audiences in over 30 countries for the next 20 years.

The von Trapps' new life in the US

The von Trapp family's new life in the US was marked by a series of performances and tours as the "Trapp Family Choir" and later, the "Trapp Family Singers". They had lost most of their fortune in the 1935 banking collapse in Austria and had to earn their keep by performing. They toured nationally and internationally, performing a unique mixture of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals to audiences in over 30 countries for the next 20 years. They also recorded a series of 78-rpm records for RCA Victor in the 1950s, some of which were later issued on RCA Camden LPs.

After living briefly in Philadelphia and Merion, Pennsylvania, where their youngest child Johannes was born, the family settled in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941. They purchased a 660-acre farm in 1942 and converted it into the Trapp Family Lodge, initially called "Cor Unum" (Latin for One Heart). In 1950, they began welcoming guests to their rustic, 27-room lodge.

In addition to their musical pursuits, the von Trapps also contributed to society in various ways. After World War II, they founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief fund, which sent food and clothing to impoverished people in Austria. Maria von Trapp was awarded the Honorary Cross First Class for Science and Art by the Austrian Government in 1967 for her cultural endeavours. In 1968, Johannes von Trapp oversaw the opening of the Cross Country Ski Center, the first of its kind in the US.

The von Trapps' story inspired a memoir, two German films, and the Broadway musical "The Sound of Music", which later became a movie. While the family had little input in the play and movie, they were honoured by the Salzburg government in 1998 with medals of honour due to the increase in tourism brought about by the movie.

The von Trapps' return to Austria

The von Trapp family never returned to live in Austria, but one of the children, Johanna, did eventually return to the country. The family left Austria in 1938, first travelling to Italy, before settling in Vermont in the United States. They left due to the Nazi annexation of Austria and Georg von Trapp's opposition to Adolf Hitler. They also feared for their safety after he refused to fly the Nazi flag on their house, and declined a naval command and a request to sing at Hitler's birthday party.

The family became known as the Trapp Family Singers and performed together until 1957. After the group disbanded, Maria, Johannes, Rosmarie, and Maria Franziska went to New Guinea to do missionary work. Maria then returned to run the Trapp Family Lodge for several years.

The von Trapps' legacy in Austria

The von Trapp family's legacy in Austria is a complex and fascinating one, with their story inspiring the musical and film "The Sound of Music". The family's history is filled with intrigue, courage, and a deep love of music.

The von Trapps first gained fame in their native Austria during the interwar period as a talented singing group. The family consisted of former Austrian naval commander Georg von Trapp, his wife Maria, and their ten children. They performed a mix of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals, becoming known as the "Trapp Family Singers". Their unique sound and impressive talent brought them success and they performed across Austria and even toured Europe.

However, their time in Austria was not without difficulty. When Adolf Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, the von Trapps, opposed to Hitler's morals and ideals, decided to leave. Georg von Trapp refused to fly the Nazi flag on their home, declined a naval command, and rejected a request to sing at Hitler's birthday party. Fearing for their safety and unwilling to compromise their principles, they fled Austria, eventually settling in Vermont, USA.

Despite leaving Austria, the von Trapps did not forget their roots. After World War II, they founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief fund, sending much-needed aid to those in their homeland affected by the war. Their altruism and compassion extended beyond their musical talents, leaving a lasting impact on both sides of the Atlantic.

The von Trapp Villa in Salzburg, their former residence, still stands today as a hotel, offering daily guided tours that focus on the family's history. The family's story continues to captivate audiences, with their time in Austria and their courageous decision to leave serving as a source of inspiration for generations.

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