The Sound of Music

I booked the tour of The Sound of Music locations a few months ago; at the time I was just getting over being sick and had forgotten that I don't really like sardine can conditions. It isn't much fun to be squeezed into a large bus with a full load of strangers and I didn't connect with the guide either. She drew upon a rehearsed repertoire of jokes and failed to elicit enthusiasm. And still, I felt sorry for her. Her audience was unresponsive though all but one had seen The Sound of Music. Nobody asked questions, only a handful sang along, and in the end the tip basket remained empty.

Why did I take the four hour tour? I thought it was the easiest way to coordinate a large amount of sightseeing. In the end it was the speediest way to mark locations to return to, time permitting. I even got a few pictures out of the deal. Besides, while I realize that the charm of the movie is in watching it, not in analyzing it, I get pleasure from having been at the places that formed such a romantic setting. Now I can go home, watch it again, and say to myself, "I remember that spot; I've been there."


Here are some of the pictures I took during the tour and later on my own


Leopold's Crown Castle where Maria and the children fell off the boat




The gazebo where Maria and Georg sang "Something Good"





St. Peter's Monastery Cemetery where the von Trapps hid from the soldiers




The Pegasus Fountain where Maria and the children marched around




Church in Mondsee where Maria and Georg were married




Salzach River and Mozart Footbridge where Maria and the children walked




Mirabell Gardens where several scenes were filmed


The Sound of Music production that I attended at the Salzburg Landestheater last night is a different story. The theater too was filled to the last seat. But there was involvement in the story, short conversations with those who sat on either side of me, lots of clapping, and I have to admit that I tried to sing along when, at the end, the actors asked the audience to participate.

The text, spoken in German, the English translation projected above the stage, deviated from the soundtrack of the movie; political aspects were much more evident, probably slanted slightly toward pleasing Austrians. Austria has never been a fan of the exploitation of the original book by Maria von Trapp, as a matter of fact, the tour guide mentioned that Austrians are the only people in the world who have not seen the movie.

Sometimes , when I hear someone old being interviewed about a childhood experience, I am a bit surprised about the strong reaction when a particularly difficult memory is recalled. Lips quiver. A finger wipes tears. A sob escapes.
Last night I experienced all of the above. As a matter of fact, I kept swallowing hard, kept wiping tears, felt an unusual fear, a fear that made no sense since there was no real danger.

While the Trapp family was singing in the competition (they had planned to make their escape while the third and second place winners were honored) it seemed that suddenly all the exit doors of the theater were being shut and locked. The lady next to me looked at me and pointed. German soldiers were stationed at each door. Several were standing in the balcony section. My heart stood still. A giant golden swastika glowed behind the action on stage.
I was six when an SS officer pushed my mother down the stairs, but suddenly I felt like that child again. Helpless. Scared.

Needless to say that I was quite impressed with the Salzburg production. I lay awake in my hotel room bed afterwards, pondering the dangers from insane leaders and philosophizing about the merits of democracy. But for ordinary entertainment I still prefer the tender, sentimental (Hollywood style) scene in which Christopher Plummer sings "Edelweiss."


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