Sour Notes Fade for Real Von Trapps

Family, now Vermont innkeepers, comes to terms with Sound of Music

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Dec 25, 2008 10:16 AM CST

(Newser) – Being part of the family made famous by The Sound of Music hasn’t always had Johannes von Trapp, now 69, singing a happy tune, the New York Times reports, but passing the torch to a new generation has given him some peace. His son Sam is taking over the family’s Vermont inn—and polishing up the family story.

The Austrian family arrived in Pennsylvania in 1938 and made money singing. Matriarch Maria rented out the family ranch—run since 1994 by Johannes, the youngest of 10—when they toured. With Sam pushing the Sound of Music connection at the lodge, Johannes is ready to exit stage left. “I’ve sort of done my thing here,” he says. “Now it’s up to my son to take it from here.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Johannes, left, and his sister Maria visit the Villa Trapp in Salzburg, Austria, the house their family fled after the Nazi takeover in 1938. (AP Photo)

Maria von Trapp, 93, daughter of Austrian Baron Georg von Trapp, points to her father on an old family picture in their Austria home. (AP Photo/ Kerstin Joensson)

Julie Andrews poses in front of posters for the 40th-anniversary DVD release party of the "Sound of Music." (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

"Sound of Music" sung by Julie Andrews, who plays Maria as a saintly mother in the movie. In real life, Maria was dominating and strong. (Elvis730)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

I just got tired of being cast as a Sound of Music person.
- Johannes von Trapp, 69

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Sound of Music Daughter Dies

Agathe von Trapp, oldest daughter of famed singing family, dead at 97

(NEWSER) - Agathe von Trapp has climbed her last mountain. The oldest daughter of the musical family whose legendary escape from Nazi-occupied Austria was the basis for the equally legendary The Sound of Music died Tuesday at age 97. Agathe, a guitarist, was represented in the film by "I am 16-going-on-17" Liesl. But she wasn't nearly as outgoing as Liesl, according to long-time friend Mary Louise Kane, who lived with von Trapp for five decades. The two ran a kindergarten together until 1993, reports the AP . More»

Austria Scraps Plans to Make von Trapp Villa a Tourist Trap

City blocks plans to turn Salzburg villa into a hotel

(NEWSER) - Fans of The Sound of the Music won't be able to stay at the von Trapp family villa in Austria now that authorities have blocked a plan to turn the villa into a hotel. An astonishing 40% of overnight stays in Salzburg are booked by Sound of Music fans. But neighbors protested that the hotel plan would disrupt the community. The von Trapps lived in the palatial home from 1923 until they fled the Nazis in 1938. More»

Quaid to Hollywood: I'm Outta Here

Actor isn't retiring, just packing up family for move back to Texas

(NEWSER) - Actor Dennis Quaid is heading for the hills—no, make that the plains—of Texas with his family, OK! reports. He’s relocating to his hometown, Houston, to be nearer friends and family, Quaid says, not quitting the business. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Sour Notes Fade for Real Von Trapps