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The film itself is based on a true story. Born in Vienna, Maria von
Kutschera was living as a novice candidate at the Benedictine convent on
Nonnberg in Salzburg when she was sent by her Mother Superior as a
governess to the household of Baron Georg von Trapp to look after his
seven children, left motherless on the death of his wirf. Shortly
afterwards Maria became the Baron's wife and in the early 30's
founded a family choir with which she undertook frequent public
performances as long as they remained in Austria.
After fleeing the country
on Hitler's annexation of Austria in 1938, the family had no income
other than that drawn from their musical performances. Their
success in the USA, however, proved sufficient to enable them to settle
there and, in 1941, to purchase a farm in Vermont (Stowe), which
ultimately became the Trapp Family Lodge. Today the Trapp Family
Lodge is a flourishing hotel.
Visitors to Salzburg
from all over the world use the opportunity to view the locations where
"Sound of Music" was shot. These are :
The Benedictine Convent on
Nonnberg, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, Mirabell Palace,
Residence Square and Residence Fountain, the Rocky Riding School -
where, in the film, the Trapp Family performed its farewell song and
where Baron von Trapp sang "Edelweiss" - the Horse - Pond, St. Peter's
Cemetery (it was here that the dramatic flight scenes were filmed),
Leopoldskron Palace - the facade facing the lake represented the von
Trapp residence - the Sond of Music Gazebo - where the love scene took
place, Frohnburg Palace, where the courtyard and main front were used as
a backdrop.
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