What is Marias range in Sound of Music?

Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteeen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain Von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire Von Trapp family must make a moral decision. 

Performances will take place at Kit Carson Amphitheater between July 10 & 25.

LEAD ADULT CHARACTERS:

Maria Rainer (musical theatre mix/soprano, dance, 20-35) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.  NOTE: Should be comfortable with moments of intimacy including a kiss with Captain von Trapp.
Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, moves well, 35-45) A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.  NOTE: Should be comfortable with moments of intimacy including a kiss with Maria.
Max Detweiller (tenor/baritone, moves well, 30+) Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.
Elsa Schrader (mezzo soprano, moves well, 35-45) A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.
Mother Abbess (legit soprano, wide vocal range, 40+, very strong actress)  Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind.

FEATURED CHARACTERS:
Sister Berthe (alto, moves well)  Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight-laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.
Sister Margaretta (mezzo, moves well)  Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.
Sister Sophia (soprano, moves well)  Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
Franz (non-singing, 30+)  The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.
Frau Schmidt (non-singing, 30+)  The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating.
Herr Zeller (non-singing, 40+)  Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Ursula (non-singing, 20+)  A maid of the von Trapps.
Baron Elberfeld (non-singing, 40+)  Austrian who is aghast of what he sees as the German invasion
Baroness Elberfeld (non-singing, 40+)  The Baron’s wife
Frau Ullrich (non-singing, 30+)  Dinner companion of Herr Zeller
Admiral von Schrieber (non-singing, 40+)  of the German Navy.  Has a mission, and is there to do it, but not as stern as Herr Zeller.
Rolf Gruber (low tenor, dance, 17)  Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way. NOTE: Should be comfortable with moments of intimacy including a kiss with Liesl.

LEAD CHILDREN’S ROLES:
All children, apart from their character description must be able to be conservative with their emotions and “serious.”
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dance, 16)  The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings. NOTE: Should be comfortable with moments of intimacy including a kiss with Rolf.
Friedrich von Trapp (age 14)  Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (age 13)  Rebellious attitude.
Kurt von Trapp (age 10, falsetto)  Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (age 9)  Smart, reads a lot.
Marta von Trapp (age 7)  Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (age 6)  Must have the cute factor.

CHORUS:
5-10 male chorus members (16-60+ years) – Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens and Georg’s friends (of naval background).
5-10 female chorus members (16-60+ years) – Salzburg citizens, new postulant, nuns, novices, postulants and contestants in the Festival Concert.

Of course, the reason I ask is my community theater is doing TSOM next season, and I want to see if I would be good for Maria, vocally. I'm 26, will be 27 when they do the show, and a soprano.

I really did look in the sticky and couldn't find any info...

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My sources say she's need a high Bb if that helps.

Last edited by MsDivaKate on Fri May 12, 2006 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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For some reason I thought it was higher or perhaps equal.

I think she goes up to a high Bb but I may be wrong.

well whatever version we did katie.....maria's part was lower well the song Sound of Music was def. lower.

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Last edited by MsDivaKate on Fri May 12, 2006 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Mary Martin (who I belive is a contralto) played Maria in the OBC or The Sound of Music. Her voice (well, her range) is substantially lower than Julie Andrews (a soprano).
The 1998 revival was based more on the film (which butchered the original). Most directors make their show more like the revival/film. Thus in that case, Maria would be a soprano. If your director is staying closer to the OBC, Maria will be a low mezzo.

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In Lonely Goatherd (which is cut in our show right now) she sings to high Bb, but in most of the songs stay in the lower register (except I Have Confidence, probably written with Julie Andrews in mind, is higher and of course, that isn't in most stage shows)

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Thanks!!!
I sure hope we do the revival.
I could probably sing either but would much rather sing higher.
Anyone recommend the revival recording w/ REbecca Luker?

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In Lonely Goatherd (which is cut in our show right now)

You're director should be slapped and possibly banned from ever directing anything ever again.

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In Lonely Goatherd (which is cut in our show right now)

You're director should be slapped and possibly banned from ever directing anything ever again.

LOL. We're doing Sound of Music right now (I'm in the pit orchestra) and our Maria absolutely hates that song. She thought it was cute at first, but now she calls it "Satan's song." I'm not too thrilled about it either. It's unbelievably repetative. The other day, I caught myself watching the stage more than I was watching my music. I'd pretty much memorized the whole song without even trying.

That said, I do think it's important for the show. Not so much for the plot, but simply because that melody shows up again & again during a lot of the incidental & scene change music.

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Mary Martin (who I belive is a contralto) played Maria in the OBC or The Sound of Music. .

Was a contralto: Mary Martin died in 1990.

Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:58 pm
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[quote="what_the_heck013"][quote="mannfann714"]In Lonely Goatherd (which is cut in our show right now)[/quote]

You're director should be slapped and possibly banned from ever directing anything ever again.[/quote]

I'm not saying I disagree...but his reasons for cutting were its insignificance to the plot and because we're trying to make it like the movie, therefore replacing it with "my favorite things" in the bedroom scene, there was just no place for it. there's still a reprise at the beginning of Act 2. A little strange...a reprise of a song that never happened...

How would you describe Maria in The Sound of Music?

What vocal range is Captain von Trapp?

What age is Maria in The Sound of Music?

Who is Frau Zeller in Sound of Music?