Sound of Music museum opens in Salzburg, Austria

The Sound of Music Salzburg museum has opened in Austria, marking the first venue dedicated to the 1965 musical film and the real-life von Trapp family. Located in the 17th-century Hellbrunn Palace, the museum aims to distinguish the historical story of the von Trapp singers from the Hollywood depiction while reconciling the film's global popularity with its complex reception in Austria.

Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of Georg and Agathe von Trapp, attended the opening. She noted the museum provides an intimate sense of both the film's storyline and her family's history. She also clarified that her father, Werner von Trapp, was depicted as the character Kurt in the movie.

Co-curator Matthias Bergsmann highlighted that beneath the film's famous musical elements, the story serves as a narrative of resistance against National Socialism. While the film initially faced local ambivalence in Austria following World War II, the museum seeks to embrace the cultural touchstone and its connection to the city's history.