Agathe von Trapp (1913–2010)

Memories Before and After “The Sound of Music” by Agathe von Trapp. Another history book for our library, this book is about the real von Trapp family and is written by the eldest daughter, Agathe (or if you will, Liesl in the film.) Captain von Trapp was a submarine captain in WW1. His growing family did not always have it easy, but they were industrious and learned to sew their clothes, plant and harvest fruit and vegetables, and so on. One thing that united them was music. Captain von Trapp played the violin and taught his children to sing and play a variety of musical instruments.
The family had Italian citizenship because their home city, Trieste, had been Italian prior to WW1. So when the Nazis invaded Austria, the family just went to the back of their property to the railroad station and left Austria for Italy – no dramatic climbing over mountain peaks!
Eventually the von Trapps came to America and toured as a singing family. They were welcomed everywhere and got standing ovations, even recording LPs. They sang classical music and also Austrian folk tunes. Finally they bought a piece of land in Vermont that reminded them of the Austrian mountains and built the Trapp family lodge, a ski resort and summer music camp. Though the lodge burned down it was rebuilt and is still in use today. The choir disbanded as the adult “children” went to college, became missionaries, teachers, and got married.
If you love the film, “The Sound of Music”, you will find what is true and what is artistic license in the movie. Was the Captain a distant martinet? Did he use a bo’sun’s whistle to call the children and did they march in order? How many children were there really? Where did they live and what was their training? Did the Captain really refuse to hang a Nazi flag from their home? Was their home used in the film or whose mansion was used? Did the children really dress in clothes made of drapes?
Read this book to find out the answers to these vital questions. The book has pen and ink illustrations by Agathe.… (mais)