Lyla Lindsey
The Von Trapp family, who rose to fame as a singing group in Austria, left the country in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime. They travelled to Italy and then to America, where they continued to perform as the Trapp Family Singers. After living in Philadelphia and Merion, Pennsylvania, the family settled in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941, where they purchased a farm and converted it into the Trapp Family Lodge. The family ceased to perform as a unit in 1957, and some members went on to do missionary work in New Guinea, while others remained in the United States.
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What You'll Learn
- The von Trapps fled Austria by train to Italy, not Switzerland
- They settled in Stowe, Vermont, on a farm reminiscent of Austria
- The family became known as the Trapp Family Singers in the US
- After World War II, they founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Fund to send aid to Austria
- The von Trapp children's careers included missionary work, medicine, farming, music, and art
The von Trapps fled Austria by train to Italy, not Switzerland
The von Trapp family, led by patriarch Georg von Trapp, fled Austria to escape the Nazi regime. They did not, however, climb over the Swiss Alps as depicted in the 1965 film "The Sound of Music". Instead, they fled Austria by train to Italy.
Georg von Trapp was an Italian citizen by birth as he was born in Zadar (now in Croatia), which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time but became part of Italy in 1920. This Italian citizenship extended to his wife and children as well. The family had already visited and performed in America and had a contract with a booking agent there who paid for their boat tickets to New York.
The von Trapps' decision to leave Austria was not an easy one. They weighed staying and taking advantage of the enticements offered by the Nazis—greater fame as a singing group, a medical doctor's position for Rupert, and a renewed naval career for Georg—against leaving behind everything they knew—their friends, family, estate, and all their possessions. Ultimately, they decided that they could not compromise their principles and chose to become refugees.
After leaving Austria, the von Trapps contacted their American booking agent from Italy and requested fare to America. They eventually settled in Stowe, Vermont, on a farm with sweeping mountain vistas reminiscent of their beloved Austria. They purchased the 660-acre farm in 1942 and converted it into the Trapp Family Lodge, initially called "Cor Unum" (Latin for One Heart). The family performed their unique mixture of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals to audiences in over 30 countries for the next 20 years.
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They settled in Stowe, Vermont, on a farm reminiscent of Austria
After leaving Austria, the von Trapp family first travelled to Italy, before eventually settling in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941. They purchased a 660-acre farm in 1942, which reminded them of their native Austria, and converted it into the Trapp Family Lodge, initially called "Cor Unum" (Latin for "One Heart"). The family's new home featured sweeping mountain vistas reminiscent of Austria, and they began welcoming guests to their 27-room lodge in 1950.
The von Trapps' story inspired Maria von Trapp's 1949 memoir, *The Story of the Trapp Family Singers*, which was adapted into the West German film, *The Trapp Family* (1956). This, in turn, served as the basis for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, *The Sound of Music* (1959), and its 1965 film adaptation.
The family's time in Vermont was marked by various endeavours and accomplishments. For instance, after World War II, they founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Fund, sending food and clothing to impoverished people in Austria. Additionally, the von Trapp children pursued diverse paths, with some becoming doctors, teachers, farmers, and missionaries. Johannes von Trapp, the youngest child born in Pennsylvania, followed in his mother's footsteps by managing the Trapp Family Lodge as a tourist resort.
The lodge expanded over the years, and after a fire in 1980, a new 96-room alpine lodge was built on 2,600 acres. The property is still owned and operated by the von Trapp family and has been renamed the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort.
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The family became known as the Trapp Family Singers in the US
The von Trapp family, led by patriarch Georg von Trapp, left Austria to escape the Nazi regime. They first travelled to Italy, before eventually settling in the United States, where they became known as the Trapp Family Singers.
The family's singing career began in their native Austria during the interwar period. They performed a unique mixture of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals. In 1936, Lotte Lehmann heard the family sing and suggested they perform paid concerts. When the Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg heard them on the radio, he invited them to perform in Vienna. The Trapp family's musical director was Catholic priest Franz Wasner.
After leaving Austria, the family continued to perform. They had already visited and performed in America and had a contract with a booking agent there, who paid for their boat tickets to New York. They initially performed in the US under the name Trapp Family Choir, before changing their name to the Trapp Family Singers, as suggested by their booking agent, Frederick Christian Schang. They toured the country and performed internationally, including in their new home state of Vermont.
In 1942, the family purchased a 660-acre farm in Vermont, which they converted into the Trapp Family Lodge, initially called Cor Unum (Latin for One Heart). After World War II, the von Trapps founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief fund, which sent food and clothing to people impoverished in Austria. The family continued to perform for audiences in over 30 countries for the next 20 years, until 1957.
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After World War II, they founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Fund to send aid to Austria
After World War II, the von Trapp family founded the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Fund to send aid to Austria. The fund sent food and clothing to people in impoverished Austria, which was suffering from the aftermath of the war. The family had left Austria before the war, escaping the Nazi regime, and settled in the United States. They had a successful singing career in their native Austria during the interwar period and continued to perform in the United States, becoming well-known as the "Trapp Family Singers".
The family's story, including their escape from Austria, inspired Maria von Trapp's 1949 memoir, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers". This memoir was later adapted into the West German film "The Trapp Family" in 1956 and served as the basis for the Broadway musical "The Sound of Music" in 1959 and its 1965 film adaptation. The von Trapp family's story and their musical talents captured the hearts of audiences across Europe and North America for decades.
The von Trapp family's dedication to helping those in need in Austria through the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Fund demonstrates their compassion and strong connection to their homeland, even after establishing a new life in the United States. This act of philanthropy contributed to their legacy and impact beyond their musical achievements.
The family's escape from Austria and their subsequent relief efforts highlight their commitment to their values and their desire to support those affected by the war. By founding the relief fund, the von Trapp family not only provided practical assistance but also showed their solidarity with the Austrian people during a challenging time in the country's history. This humanitarian initiative adds another layer to the family's remarkable story, which continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
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The von Trapp children's careers included missionary work, medicine, farming, music, and art
The von Trapp family's story inspired the musical and film The Sound of Music. The family's patriarch, Georg von Trapp, had seven children with his first wife, Agathe Gobertina Whitehead: Rupert, Agathe, Maria Franziska, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina. In 1927, Georg married Maria Kutschera, with whom he had three more children: Rosmarie, Eleonore "Lorli", and Johannes.
The von Trapp children pursued various careers, including missionary work, medicine, farming, music, and art. After the Trapp Family Singers disbanded in 1957, Maria, Johannes, Rosmarie, and Maria Franziska went to New Guinea to do missionary work. Maria returned to run the Trapp Family Lodge, a tourist resort in Vermont, for several years. Maria Franziska spent thirty years as a missionary in New Guinea.
Rupert von Trapp was a medical doctor who served in the army during World War II. Agathe spent many years as a kindergarten teacher in Maryland. Werner von Trapp became a farmer, and his farm still produces von Trapp Farmstead Cheese. Hedwig von Trapp became a music teacher. Johanna von Trapp married and returned to Austria. Rosmarie and Eleonore settled in Vermont, and the former passed away in 2022 at the age of 93. Johannes von Trapp, the last surviving member of the Trapp Family Singers, followed in his mother's footsteps by managing the Trapp Family Lodge.
The family's musical talents also led to notable careers. The von Trapp Family Singers, originally known as the Trapp Family Choir, toured internationally and released several albums. The group included non-family members and was managed by F.C. Schang, who suggested changing their name to the Trapp Family Singers. They performed a unique mixture of liturgical music, madrigals, folk music, and instrumentals to audiences in over 30 countries. The group's repertoire included sacred music, ancient instruments, Austrian folk songs, and American folk songs.
The von Trapp family's musical legacy continued with the next generation. Five of Werner von Trapp's grandchildren formed a singing group called "The von Trapps" in 2001. They recorded five albums and performed for over 15 years before disbanding in 2016. They frequently collaborated with the band Pink Martini and appeared on television shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The View.
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Frequently asked questions
The von Trapp family settled in Stowe, Vermont, in 1941, purchasing a 660-acre farm in 1942 and converting it into the Trapp Family Lodge. They toured the United States and performed internationally as the Trapp Family Singers until 1957.
Maria, Johannes, Rosmarie, and Maria Franziska went to New Guinea to do missionary work. Maria returned to run the Trapp Family Lodge for several years.
Rupert was a medical doctor during World War II and obtained his U.S. medical license after the war. Agathe spent many years as a kindergarten teacher in Maryland. Werner became a farmer, Hedwig a music teacher, and Johanna returned to Austria, where she raised her seven children. Rosmarie and Eleonore settled in Vermont.
After a fire in 1980, the original structure was replaced by a new 96-room alpine lodge situated on 2,600 acres. The entire property is owned and operated by the von Trapp family and has been renamed the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort.
