<P> Maria is a free - spirited young Austrian woman studying to become a nun at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg in 1938 . Her love of music and the mountains , her youthful enthusiasm and imagination , and her lack of discipline cause some concern among the nuns . The Mother Abbess , believing Maria would be happier outside the abbey , sends her to the villa of retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp to be governess to his seven children -- Liesl , Friedrich , Louisa , Kurt , Brigitta , Marta , and Gretl . The Captain has been raising his children alone using strict military discipline following the death of his wife . Although the children misbehave at first , Maria responds with kindness and patience , and soon the children come to trust and respect her . Liesl , the oldest , is won over after Maria protects her from discovery when she is nearly caught sneaking back into the house after meeting Rolfe , a delivery boy she is in love with . </P>
<P> Maria is a free - spirited young Austrian woman studying to become a nun at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg in 1938 . Her love of music and the mountains , her youthful enthusiasm and imagination , and her lack of discipline cause some concern among the nuns . The Mother Abbess , believing Maria would be happier outside the abbey , sends her to the villa of retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp to be governess to his seven children -- Liesl , Friedrich , Louisa , Kurt , Brigitta , Marta , and Gretl . The Captain has been raising his children alone using strict military discipline following the death of his wife . Although the children misbehave at first , Maria responds with kindness and patience , and soon the children come to trust and respect her . Liesl , the oldest , is won over after Maria protects her from discovery when she is nearly caught sneaking back into the house after meeting Rolfe , a delivery boy she is in love with . </P>
where did the story of the sound of music take place
where did the story of the sound of music take place
1938
1938