Mozart Bridge | © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH, Foto: Patrick Langwallner
The Trapp Family
The name von Trapp is inextricably linked with Salzburg, where the world-famous family choir was established with its success story and music travelling around the globe.
The Salzburg Origins of the Trapp Family
In 1923, Georg von Trapp, a former captain of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, found refuge for himself and his children in a villa in the Salzburg district of Aigen. Following the passing of his wife, a new chapter began for the family – one that would go on to captivate the world. The structured life of the Trapps was forever changed in 1926 with the arrival of Maria Augusta Kutschera. As a governess, she brought not only knowledge but also a profound sense of joy into their home. Two years later, she wed Georg von Trapp, becoming an integral part of the family, which soon expanded with the birth of three more children.
Music as a Lifeline and Global Success
The 1930s brought financial challenges, however, the von Trapps discovered a new livelihood in music. With the guidance of the chaplain Franz Wasner and renowned soprano Lotte Lehmann, the family established a choir. The Trapp Family Choir achieved its first successes in Salzburg, yet the annexation of Austria in 1938 and the increasing pressure from the Nazi regime compelled them to flee. After a journey filled with detours, they ultimately found a new home in Vermont, USA. Under the name The Trapp Family Singers, they enchanted audiences worldwide and became a symbol of courage and resilience. Their story, immortalised through the musical and film The Sound of Music, began in Salzburg and continues to resonate across the globe.
