Sound of Music, The, is a popular musical comedy by the American songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers composed the music, and Hammerstein wrote the lyrics. It was the last Rodgers and Hammerstein show. The Sound of Music opened on Broadway on Nov. 16, 1959. Hammerstein died nine months later.
The musical is based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, an autobiography by Maria von Trapp. The true story begins in Salzburg, Austria, in 1938. Maria Rainer is a young, free-spirited woman who wants to become a nun and lives at the Nonnberg Abbey. The mother abbess questions whether Maria’s natural exuberance is appropriate for a life as a nun. She sends Maria away from the abbey to take a position as a governess for the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp, a stern naval officer and a widower. Maria, who loves music, uses songs as well as her warmth and sympathy to win the friendship of the love-starved and lonely children. After a time, the captain and Maria fall in love and marry.
The story takes a serious turn when Germany annexes Austria and the captain is ordered to active duty in the service of the Nazi government. But the family flees Austria over the Alps to safety in Switzerland. The escape comes after the family, which became noted for their group singing, gives a final performance at a local music festival.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote The Sound of Music as a starring vehicle for Mary Martin, who achieved one of her greatest stage successes as Maria. Theodore Bikel played Captain von Trapp. The show’s score includes such popular songs as the title song, “Maria,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Edelweiss.” Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse wrote the book (story). Vincent J. Donehue was the director, and Joe Layton the choreographer (creator of dances). The show ran for 1,443 performances.
The Sound of Music was adapted into a popular motion picture, starring Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. The film won five 1965 Academy Awards, including best picture and best director (Robert Wise).
