The final
collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist
Oscar Hammerstein II who passed away nine months after the
opening, The Sound of Music is based on Maria Von Trapp's
autobiography The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Originally,
the musical was to contain only actual music that had been sung
by the Trapps in their concerts, plus one original song by
Rodgers and Hammerstein. The talented songwriting duo balked at
this, however, and eventually they were allowed to contribute
the entire score. Set in 1938, The Sound of Music tells the
story of Maria Rainer, a free-spirited nun who is hired by Captain
George Von Trapp to care for his seven children. Although Captain
Trapp is engaged to a wealthy socialite, he and Maria eventually
fall in love and marry--but their happiness is soon shattered when
the Nazis invade Austria.