Key Historical Terms in "The Sound of Music"
Here are the important historical terms that contemporary audiences should understand to fully appreciate "The Sound of Music":
Anschluss
Definition: The "joining" or "union" of Austria with Nazi Germany, which took place on March 12, 1938.
Significance: This forced annexation serves as the climactic historical backdrop in the musical. It drives the von Trapp family's need to escape Austria and represents the loss of Austrian independence that Captain von Trapp deeply mourns. When the Nazis enter Austria, the Captain must decide between accepting a naval commission in the German Navy (betraying his values) or fleeing with his family. The Anschluss transforms what could be simply a family love story into a tale of moral courage against tyranny.
Pronunciation of "Anschluss"
The word "Anschluss" refers to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938. It is a German word, and its pronunciation can be tricky for non-German speakers. Here's a breakdown:
Phonetic Spelling: AHN-shloos
Breakdown:
"An" is pronounced like the "on" in "onward."
"schluss" is pronounced like "shloos". The "sch" is like the "sh" in "ship", and the "oo" is like the "oo" in "food".
So, you say it as "AHN-shloos".
Third Reich
Definition: Meaning "Third Empire" or "Third Realm," this was the official name the Nazis gave to their regime in Germany from 1933 to 1945.
Significance: When Herr Zeller comments that the von Trapp house is "the only house in the province not flying the flag of the Third Reich," he's highlighting the Captain's dangerous political resistance. The Third Reich symbolizes the authoritarian regime that threatens the family's way of life and values, creating the central conflict that drives the second half of the musical.
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| Friedrich Rainer (Salzburg's Gauleiter) |
Gauleiter
Definition: A regional Nazi Party leader who governed a Gau (district or province) and reported directly to Hitler.
Significance: When Rolf mentions the Gauleiter in Act 1, it foreshadows the Nazi takeover. This term shows both Rolf's growing involvement with the Nazi movement and introduces the audience to the administrative structure that would soon control Austria. Herr Zeller later becomes the Gauleiter of their region, wielding tremendous power over the area including the ability to force Captain von Trapp into military service.
Pronunciation of Gauleiter.
Gauleiter is pronounced as GOW-lye-ter.
Here's a breakdown:
"Gau" is pronounced like "GOW" in "cow."
"leiter" is pronounced like "LYE-ter." The "ei" is pronounced like the "i" in "tie".
Therefore, actors should aim for a pronunciation that sounds like "GOW-LYE-ter."
Naval Captain without a Navy
Definition: After World War I, the once-mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled, and Austria lost its coastline and navy.
Significance: This explains Captain von Trapp's unusual situation as a decorated naval hero in a landlocked country. His identity as a naval officer without a navy represents Austria's diminished status after WWI and contributes to his strong sense of Austrian nationalism. It also explains why he's both valuable to the German Navy (as an experienced officer) and resistant to joining it (as it would betray his Austrian identity).
Edelweiss
Definition: A small white mountain flower that grows in the Alps and serves as a national symbol of Austria.
Significance: When Captain von Trapp sings "Edelweiss," he's not just performing a folk song but making a profound political statement about his loyalty to Austria. The flower symbolizes Austrian national identity and resistance to Nazi control. His performance at the Salzburg Festival becomes his final defiant public act before escaping. For contemporary audiences, understanding the flower's significance as a national symbol helps reveal why this seemingly simple song carries such emotional weight.
Salzburg Festival
Definition: A prominent summer festival of music and drama held annually in Salzburg, Austria, since 1920.
Significance: The festival provides the setting for the family's final performance before their escape. By using a cultural event celebrating Austrian heritage as their escape vehicle, the musical emphasizes the contrast between authentic Austrian culture (represented by the von Trapps) and the Nazi regime attempting to absorb it. The festival symbolizes the cultural heritage that the Captain is fighting to preserve.
Abbey/Convent and Religious Life Terms
Definition: Terms like "novitiate," "postulant," and "abbey" refer to stages of religious life and the community where nuns live.Significance: Understanding these terms helps audiences appreciate Maria's journey from religious life to family life. Her struggle between these two callings forms the personal conflict at the beginning of the story. The abbey also represents a moral stronghold that ultimately helps the family escape, showing how religious institutions sometimes served as centers of resistance during Nazi occupation.
These terms provide the historical framework that elevates "The Sound of Music" from a simple family story to a powerful narrative about standing for one's principles during one of history's darkest periods. Understanding them helps audiences appreciate the real stakes behind the von Trapps' decisions and the courage their actions required.
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Historical Context for All Actors:
Understanding 1938 Austria:
Austria was facing annexation by Nazi Germany (the Anschluss).
Austrian cultural identity (music, traditions, patriotism) was under threat.
Some people welcomed the German influence, while others feared it.
The von Trapp family's decision to flee rather than cooperate with the Nazis was both dangerous and courageous.
Period Movement:
Practice proper posture - people stood straighter in the 1930s.
Study how people moved formally in social situations.
Children would have been expected to stand when adults entered a room.
Musical Performance:
Austrian folk music has distinctive rhythms - listen to examples.
Songs like "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd" should sound authentic.
Practice harmonizing for the group numbers.
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Daily Life and Social Customs
- Class Distinctions: Social class was highly visible in clothing, speech patterns, and mannerisms. The von Trapp family represented Austrian aristocracy, while Maria came from humble origins.
- Formal Etiquette: Even within families, there were formal customs like children kissing their parents' hands as greetings or goodbyes.
- Mealtimes: Families like the von Trapps would observe formal dining customs with proper table settings, servants, and children speaking only when spoken to.
- Catholic Traditions: Religious rituals were integrated into daily life, with prayers before meals and at bedtime. Religious festivals and saint days were significant events.
The Political Climate
- Growing Tension: By 1938, political discussions would be hushed and careful, with clear awareness of who might be sympathetic to the Nazi party.
- Nazi Presence: Before the Anschluss (March 1938), Nazi sympathizers were already active in Austria, creating an atmosphere of surveillance and caution.
- Anti-Jewish Sentiment: There was increasing discrimination against Jewish Austrians, which would be visible in public spaces and conversations.
- Patriotic Resistance: Many Austrians maintained fierce loyalty to their independent nation, making "Edelweiss" not just a folk song but a political statement.
More Historical References
- Study photographs from 1930s Austria for authentic gestures, postures, and interactions
- Research the formal military bearing of Austrian naval officers
- Watch documentary footage of pre-war Austrian society events
- Read up on pre WWII Austria leading up to the war.
- Examine how children interacted with adults in formal households of the period
- Study photographs from 1930s Austria for authentic gestures, postures, and interactions
- Class Distinctions: Social class was highly visible in clothing, speech patterns, and mannerisms. The von Trapp family represented Austrian aristocracy, while Maria came from humble origins.
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