"Open the doors of your heart and they will come...
And for every cruel arrow,
sweet caresses of delirium also
To nourish your soul."
-Scott Hastie
OOPS! I did it again :) long chapter alert!
Honestly, if I just made my chapters shorter, I would get them out sooner! Nevertheless, I find comfort (if that is the right word) in long chapters because a) I love to read them that way, and b) I find I have more control over the story. I can develop things better before letting them go into the world instead of wishing I had done something differently. Here's hoping this brings you a little bit of long chapter swoon wherever you are reading from!
"It's too bad your father wasn't here to see this," Maria said with a smile as she finished Liesl's last curl. Maria set the curling iron down before using her hands to tease apart the strands. The two women smiled at each other in the mirror, and then Liesl leapt from her dressing table to hug Maria.
Brigitta was sitting on the edge of bed and Louisa had plunked herself down in the middle of the bed on her stomach, her feet knotted together; both were watching in anticipation while Marta and Gretl busied themselves on the floor with their dolls.
"Liesl, I think you look like Mama when she got married," Louisa said with a small smile.
"Do you really think so?" Liesl replied. "Frau Heineman told me that I looked like Mama when they first met. I just hope this isn't going to bother father".
Maria shook her head. "Nonsense, Love, I think your father has put those days behind them."
"I wish we all could go to the opera, Fraulein Maria." Brigitta sighed.
"Don't you worry, girls, you will all get your chance," Maria replied, "and I will make sure your father knows it".
"Fraulein Maria," Gretl called out. "Shouldn't you be getting ready as well? You can't go to the opera dressed like that!"
"Yes, dearest, but it won't take me long," Maria replied. "I just had to make sure Liesl was ready to go first."
Liesl straightened out her dress and slipped on her shoes. It was the perfect dress and she looked so happy!
"Girls!" Maria called. "Please go and ask Kurt to take Liesl's picture - perhaps in the ballroom by the puppet theatre. I think that would be a lovely reminder of this exciting evening!"
"Fraulein Maria," Liesl exclaimed, "you need to be in a picture as well...all of us together!"
"All right, you girls run along, and tell Uncle Max I won't need much more than 15 minutes. After all, I don't have a lot of hair to tackle," Maria said with a laugh. "I will meet you all downstairs shortly".
Maria turned to go down the hall and across to the other side of the villa, following the thundering feet of all the Von Trapp girls. They flew down the stairs, with Louisa taking the banister; they headed into the ballroom, the littlest ones yelling for Kurt to get out his camera. She paused on the landing to smile at the scene before her. What a wonderful day for Liesl, and in some ways it was a new beginning for the other children as well since it was further evidence that their father had put his failures behind him.
What a difference from her first day in the villa - the day when they had marched down the stairs in formation. Today it was chaos, banister riding, skipping stairs, landing on the foyer floor with a thud and a slide! Gone was the silly whistle - it was now sitting at the bottom of the weiher behind the villa where it belonged. God certainly did work in mysterious ways.
Max, all decked out in a sharp suit and tie, wondered out into the foyer from the kitchen grasping a steaming cup of coffee. He noticed Maria standing on the landing with a faraway look on her face.
"Fraulein Maria, my dear!" he called out. "You can't go to the opera in THAT! Now stop fussing over the children. I have it under control".
Maria startled at his words, but soon joined him in laughter.
"Funny you should say that, Herr Detweiller. Gretl just told me the same thing!" Maria replied.
"I won't be long, I promise".
And with that, Maria ran up the opposite set of steps to her room to get herself dressed for the opera.
"Liesl, I should go and get Fraulein Maria. She is late" Gretl said with a laugh.
"Fraulein Maria is always late; especially for dinner", Kurt groaned.
"Oh no, you wait here, she will be here soon, I just know it!" Liesl replied.
And no sooner did she get the words out of her mouth, Maria appeared at the top of the stairs. Max, who never, ever had a problem with words or conversation, was struck dumb in the moment. He opened his mouth, but literally nothing came out of it; in fact, no thoughts were in his head other than the vision that was Fraulein Maria.
How could that actually be Fraulein Maria? He wondered.
The children erupted in cheers and 'oohs! and aaahs!' as Maria stepped onto the first step from the upper landing. She smiled widely as she looked down on the scene below. The children for their part were jumping about like happy rabbits, however, she could not help but notice Max who was still as stone - and she was slightly taken aback with the expression on his face.
What exactly was going on inside that head of his?
Once Max snapped out of his trance and realized Maria was studying him as intently as he observed her, he clasped his hands together in glee, bowing down before her like she was the Empress of Austria.
"My word, Fraulein. You are a vision tonight!" he exclaimed.
Friedrich and Kurt ran up the stairs and each locked elbows with Maria and they escorted her proudly down the stairs. At that moment, Frau Schmidt bustled out of the ballroom and she stopped dead in her tracks, shoulder-to-shoulder with Max before gently digging her elbow into his rib cage.
"I must say, Herr Detweiller, all of Salzburg will be entirely jealous when they see you enter the opera hall with these beautiful women on your arm!"
"I had thought of that!" Max said with a laugh.
By now, the boys had escorted Maria down the stairs, and she hugged all the little girls before wrapping Liesl into a warm embrace. They both shared a look that confirmed they were about to have the evening of their lives.
"Maria, and Liesl, you are so beautiful in your dresses," Frau Schmidt said excitedly. "Frau Heineman outdid herself this time; mind you she had such lovely canvases to work with".
In a whisper, Frau Schmidt laughed into Max's ear. "I do say, Herr Detweiller, you are going to have to keep a watchful eye on those two tonight".
Max practically guffawed in response.
"I'm serious, Max," Frau Schmidt insisted. "You keep them safe and be sure to drive the riff-raff away".
"Frau Schmidt," Max said with an animated nod of his head. "I promise! It will be my honour to keep them close by all evening".
Max clapped his hands together with glee. Oh!, how he loved drama, and he suspected once his old friend Georg laid eyes on his dates (and one in particular), there was going to be some fireworks of some description. He could not say for sure how Captain Von Trapp would respond outwardly, but based on their shared history, he definitely knew how he would be feeling on the inside!
"Well, girls, off we go! Old Uncle Max will drive us into town since Franz is off for the evening", Max hollered.
"Oh wait, Uncle Max". Max looked down to see Kurt's beaming face. "We need a group photo!".
And with that everyone gathered around Liesl and Maria and a group picture was taken, then one of just Maria and Liesl, and finally one of Maria standing alone on the first step. A smile on her face as wide as the ocean.
Indeed, tonight was going to be a great night.
Georg was loitering impatiently in the lobby. Of course Elsa had to visit the powder room before they took their seats. He looked down at his watch. Where the devil was Max, Maria and Liesl?
Mostly Maria.
Damn! Why did he let Elsa convince him that dinner before the show was a good idea? The show started in less than half an hour, and Max wasn't anywhere to be found. What a stupid idea it was to put Max in charge of bringing his baby girl and Maria into town. Franz had brought he and Elsa into town late in the afternoon for dinner at the Goldener Hirsch and then had the night off. He had no idea what time they were leaving home or what any of their plans were - it was making him crazy!
Georg climbed up half a dozen or so of the red carpeted stairs, trying to look above the crowd. However, this did nothing but make him more obvious to those around him, and soon every person who passed by had to stop to acknowledge him or to say a few words in greeting.
Soon Elsa emerged from the powder room, sashaying up to Georg and grasped his arm possessively. She acknowledged all of those around her with a radiant smile.
Georg was craning his neck in an attempt to see over the bobbing heads of the crowd that had gathered in the lobby, trying to catch a glimpse of Max and the ladies. The up-dos, the swishing of silk and the chatter of the patrons. It was all unnecessary noise in his mind. On nights like these he wondered how he had tolerated the salons of Vienna for so long.
Elsa firmly tugged on his arm bringing his attention back down to her height.
"Georg," Elsa chided. "Stop fidgeting. This nervous energy you're carrying tonight is not befitting of a naval captain!"
"I'm not nervous," Georg replied. "I'm just trying to find Max. He is escorting my daughter to her first opera. I just don't want him to mess up this up opportunity for her".
As he continued his search, he was bumped alongside by a passing patron. He scowled as he looked back down towards them.
"Georg! How grand to see you this evening. And you too, my dear!" he said as he gingerly took Elsa's gloved hand and held it to his lips for a brief instant.
Georg focused on the face behind the voice and he soon realized who he had jostled; he immediately held out his hand to shake.
"Max Reinhardt, how the devil have you been?"
The two men shook heartily.
"I trust you know Elsa?" Georg asked.
"Herr Reinhardt, I believe we met many, many years ago when my dear Heinrich was still alive. I have heard all about you from Max, of course; Somehow, I feel like I have known you a very long time!" Elsa replied.
"Enchantée, my dear!" Max whispered with a bow. "It is so lovely to reacquaint myself with the woman who dragged Captain Von Trapp out of his villa and back into the world. How lovely that we shall share a box this evening. I can't wait to learn more about what you have been up to!".
Elsa batted her eyelashes at Max, a very jolly man who stood about six inches shorter than Georg. He had wavy salt and pepper hair meticulously combed back and a posture and a grin that equaled his buoyant personality. Everything about him was theatrical. As a matter of fact, he had opened the very first production in this building many, many years ago.
"Georg?" Max inquired. "May I escort your lovely Baroness to our box?"
Georg nodded tightly while craning his neck in the direction of the coat check and over the heads of the crowds that were making their way into the theatre. The house lights flickered, indicating there wasn't much time before the production started.
Where the Hell were they?
"Georg? Georg!" Elsa pulled on his arm. "Come along, the show is going to start".
"Ah, you two go ahead, I have to see where Liesl and Max have got to." Georg huffed.
"Come now, my Captain," Max said with a belly laugh. "Detweiller will have them in tow before curtain. That is just his way. He loves the sensational entrance as much as I do. Keep in mind, he knows I've got a bottle of brandy under my seat...come! He won't miss the pre-show beverage unless he's dead!"
Georg hesitated, and he dared to take another look about. Elsa shot daggers at him with her eyes. He rolled his own in her direction and sighed out loud before following along behind, looking behind once more towards the door.
As the car progressed slowly across the Staatsbrücke, Maria unclasped her hands and extended her fingers. Her palms were sweaty, and her fingers groaned as she extended them again and again. She turned her head slightly to catch the side profile of Max as he drove along, impatiently drumming his fingers against the steering wheel.
"Damn traffic!" he exclaimed.
"Are we going to be late, Uncle Max?" Liesl asked from the backseat.
"No, but we will be making a fashionable and spectacular entrance right before the show starts. It's a blessing we have a box and don't have to scooch along in a row of settled patrons. Your father will not be happy with me, but we're going to have to use the valet service tonight. There's just no other option!"
They managed to crawl over the bridge and onto the Schwarzstrasse, the glow from the streetlamps casting the occupants in the car into alternating sections of darkness and glowing sections of amber.
"Fraulein Maria," Max called, "you're awfully quiet tonight. This isn't like you?"
He reached over across the seat and tapped his bigger hand over Maria's fidgeting left hand.
"Oh, you know me, Herr Detweiller," she replied. "It's just a lot to take in. I am still in awe that I am going to see a production of the Magic Flute."
"You've stopped feeling unworthy, I hope?" Max inquired.
Maria laughed out loud.
"Of course not," Maria said with a giggle. "But I have learned to accept it,"
Max removed his hand from Maria's and again grasped the wheel, his other hand flipping on the turn signal to show his intention. Maria's attention, however, was momentarily diverted from all things opera. She looked down at her hand, the same one Max had just clasped. Why did she feel nothing? It was simply a kind gesture, and yet, whenever the Captain did something similar, Maria was certain she could go up in flames at any moment.
It was a bizarre state of affairs!
Maria's musings were soon interrupted as Max put the car into park and the valet came along side to open the doors. He grabbed Maria's hand and helped her to her feet. He hung on a bit longer than propriety allowed, looking Maria in the eyes with a smile. He raised her hand towards his lips, but seemed to catch himself mid-movement and he gently let go and stepped back to help Liesl from the car.
Max came along side, passing a tip to the valet, then adjusted his jacket and straightened his tie. He gathered up Liesl who was looking up at the lights of the marquee in awe.
"It's a beautiful building, isn't it Liesl? It's over 50 years old now, but it's stood on this site much longer - a theatre has stood here for more than 300 years [1]. Mozart himself played and attended performances here. Anyway, we better hurry and get on with that sensational entrance".
Taking a look at his watch, he ushered both women into the theatre in front of him.
"No worries, though," Max laughed. "According to my calculations, we have about 17 minutes before curtain".
Neither Maria nor Liesl had any coats to check since the evening was so lovely. The crescent moon was already setting and the stars were twinkling. Towards the main entrance, Maria noted that the house lights had flashed, indicating that the show was about to start. They climbed the stairs and entered the lobby.
Maria looked wide-eyed at the patrons buzzing about as they were all pushing towards the doors that led to the main theatre. Max linked his arms with both Liesl and Maria and they followed the smaller crowd up the staircase to their box seats. As they climbed, Maria's state of distraction meant that she didn't see the many men in the crowd catching a glimpse of her and Liesl as they climbed the stairs. Many of them pointing and laughing outwardly that Max Detweiller had two of the most beautiful ladies in Salzburg on his arm.
Inwardly, however, they were entirely jealous.
The usher pushed the curtain aside, allowing Max, Liesl and Maria to enter their private box. Maria stopped dead when she first saw the inside of the theatre. The Landestheater was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen! Everything was upholstered in red crushed velvet; the very same red as the red in the flag of Austria. The ceiling had a huge crystal chandelier in the centre and frescoes which covered the ceiling were accented in gold and white gilded stucco. There were cherubs adorning the artwork and Maria was struck with how similar the inside of the theatre was to the chapel at Nonnberg. Music and religion had truly intersected in this moment and Maria didn't know what to think. It seemed God was everywhere and in everything. As she lowered her eyes, she saw that every box had its own small chandelier hanging out front.
The lights flashed again and she was startled by the sounds coming from below the stage as the orchestra began its warm-up. Maria was snapped out of her reverie by Max coming along side, stretching out his arm while wrapping his other arm around her shoulder, leading her towards a man with silver hair and a beaming smile.
"Maria, I'd love for you to meet Max. Max, Maria!" Max called out as he walked them towards their seats.
Max took Maria's outstretched hand and brought it to his lips before speaking.
"My dear, I have heard so much about you and your beautiful voice. Maximillian, here, did not tell me how beautiful the woman who owned that voice was. And for that, I shall feel hurt forever!" Max said with a hearty laugh.
"Oh, Herr Reinhardt, really! You are much too kind. It is a great pleasure for me to meet you as well. I have followed your work for many years. I apologize that we are running late- I hope we can chat a bit more at the intermission. I would love to learn more about your latest projects and hear about your friend Herr Strauss and what he's composing these days! Herr Detweiller just never seems to push him for information since he's apparently always out of sorts!" Maria replied with a laugh and a wide smile that belied how nervous she was feeling inside.
With that, Max dropped her hand and gave her a wink. Max introduced Max to Liesl before Reinhardt turned back to Maria, extended his arm, gesturing to her to take her seat in the box beside him.
Maria could still feel her cheeks burning from Herr Reinhardt's compliments but was soon distracted by commotion coming from the opposite side of the box. It was Liesl standing next to her father who quickly wrapped her up in a tight embrace. The scene warmed her heart, and she could not help but reflect on how far he had come in so little time.
The Captain had let his daughter go, asking her to turn so he could see her dress, and she happily obliged. The Baroness reached out to grasp Liesl's elbow, no doubt telling her how beautiful she looked. Her eyes shifted from the scene before her and moved directly to the Captain's face and she immediately locked eyes with him. Time seemed suspended for a moment, and Maria could practically feel his stare burn through her. It was a look she had never seen before on her Captain. His eyes were wide, and he almost appeared to be in pain.
Maria could not shake this new feeling he stirred in her just with his eyes. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of blue in that moment, accentuated by the way the lights of the theatre danced off them. She saw him swallow, his Adam's apple slowly and tortuously moving up and down. He blinked hard as if he needed to clear his vision. His shoulders rose and fell in a large breath before he nodded his head in approval and gave her the most genuine smile. It almost made Maria melt in a puddle at that the sight of him.
Soon Liesl came back to sit beside Maria and the spell was broken. Maria caught the Baroness looking in her direction. She had not seen her earlier as she was on the far-right corner of the box closest to the stage. Maria quickly cowered and made her way to the seat next to Max Reinhardt with Liesl on her left. She sat down as daintily as she could, tucking her dress under her legs and then she picked up her opera glasses. Maria leaned forward and looked down at all the people in their seats below. It was a surreal experience, almost like looking down on the citizens of Salzburg from Mönchsberg down upon the Kapitelplatz.
Herr Reinhardt began talking animatedly about the theatre: the secret doors in the stage, the curtain, the lights. He pointed out one of the trap doors in the stage from where the Queen of the Night would emerge later on in the production. He commented on the orchestra, the singers, the history! The man was a wealth of information! But their conversations were cut short as the house lights began to dim, indicating something amazing was going to happen.
Maria reached over and grasped Liesl's right hand and they squeezed each other's fingers.
The lights had dimmed, and all was still. Maria sharpened her focus on the stage and at one end a serpent appeared, and at the other, Tamino, the protagonist. Stillness continues on the stage, but in that moment, Maria felt someone's eyes and she slowly turned her head away from the production to find the Captain looking at her with the same expression he had earlier. At first, he did not appear to realize she was looking at him, but he soon met her eyes and he winked at her before turning his head back towards the stage.
Maria shrugged to herself before turning her attention back towards the action on the stage. She'd have to think about that later! Things were happening now - the serpent was chasing Tamino!
With a flourish of sound arising from the stage and across the theatre, the house lights were brightened once more for the intermission. Maria turned to Liesl and saw her blinking the light change away.
"Oh my goodness, Fraulein Maria, that was the most incredible thing I have ever seen and heard in my life! It can even begin to compare to Father's gramophone! I have goosebumps just thinking of their voices!" Liesl gushed.
"It was wonderful, Liesl, there is so much to see and hear," Maria replied. "It's just so much more than I ever could have imagined!"
"Fraulein..." Herr Reinhardt interjected. "Did you know that Mozart, himself, conducted the premier of this opera at the Freihaustheater auf der Wieden in Vienna. September 1791 [2]. The theatre, itself, was only open for 14 years...but what a storied history! Can you imagine being there the first time this was ever performed?"
Maria and Max continued to talk about the history of theatre in Austria. The plays and operas they loved, the works that Max wanted to stage. He even asked Maria what she thought his next big thing should be. Maria felt Liesl rise from her chair, and she followed her with her eyes, watching her make her way over to her father once more and the two began to talk animatedly about everything they had witnessed. Herr Detweiller was talking to the Baroness who appeared to be looking down her nose at her, but what else was new! She pulled a cigarette out of her handbag and stuck it in her holder, asking Max for a light. She caught the Captain and Liesl looking her way again, but was soon brought back to her seat by Herr Reinhardt's soliloquy.
"I understand from Detweiller that you taught the children to sing, and you are a bit of a songstress, yourself, Fraulein Maria?" Max questioned.
"Oh, no! I mean, yes, I can sing, of course!. But the Captain's children are naturally very talented, obviously inheriting their love of music and ability from their parents. I just had the time to work with them and use their talents. We sing whenever we can. It's a good way to learn and remember concepts. It makes experiences in the outdoors more meaningful. It's just what we do! Nothing special." Maria said with a shrug.
"Ah, but my dear, not everyone sees things the way you do. You have an immense talent, a natural gift of music. Where did you learn this from?" Max inquired.
Maria went on to tell Max about what she remembered of her parents, her music instructor at school and her neighbour down the street. She told him of the time she, herself, had learned the famous aria of the Queen of the Night and was punished by her uncle for singing such vulgar music. Eventually, she explained, she had learned to use music for learning while she got her teaching designation in Vienna. Max on his part listened intently and laughed heartily, particularly at Maria's description of the famous aria as 'vulgar'.
All the while Maria and Max were talking, Maria could feel the Captain's eyes on her once more, but she did not dare look up. Not with the Baroness about. Finally, she stole a glance as she spotted movement and she caught the back half of his body as he left the box, presumably on his way to run errands or fetch a beverage for the Baroness.
Liesl came back over and plunked herself down, stretching out in her chair like a cat, happily exclaiming that this was the best night of her life!
Max reached across Maria's lap and tapped his hands over hers, telling her that it was the first of many nights for such a lovely young woman as herself. Liesl glowed from the compliments.
"Excuse me ladies," Max exclaimed. "I am just going to visit the bartender for a little libation in honour of the Queen of the Night. I will be back in a jiffy!"
And with that, he was gone, leaving Maria, Liesl and the Baroness in the box. Once Elsa had realized who her remaining company was, however, she picked up her handbag and left the box as well.
"Fraulein Maria, Father said I am a sight to behold, and he agreed that I looked like Mother! He was not sad, Fraulein, he hugged me tight when he told me. He wanted you to know that you did a lovely job helping me to get ready, and to say thank you, and that he was very sorry he was not at home to escort us personally to the opera."
Maria smiled and squeezed Liesl's hands.
"Oh, and Fraulein," Liesl added, "Father said that you looked incredible tonight!"
"Oh tosh, I am sure you are exaggerating, Liesl!" Maria replied.
"No, no, no, Fraulein, I swear. He told me that when he first spotted you, he was certain that you were some surprise date of Herr Reinhardt's. He hardly recognized you. He said that Baroness Schraeder scolded him for staring at you, but it was a punishment he was willing to take to see his tomboy governess dressed up like a queen for the opera". Liesl exclaimed with a giggle.
All at once Liesl's eyes widened.
"Pssst, oh Fraulein Maria, shhhhh!". Liesl discreetly flailed her hands about, trying to point in the direction of the current topic of conversation.
Maria turned her head to identify the source of Liesl's tumult and spotted the Captain beside them. He had just come back into the box and set himself down in Herr Reinhardt's seat, two drinks in his hands.
"For you, my lovely daughter...it's not champagne, but it is a divine Salzburg punch mixed by the bartender, himself; and one for you, too, Fraulein. I guessed that you wished to keep your wits about you for Act 2 when the action really kicks in," he said with a curious smile.
Maria, on her part, felt her cheeks a flame and every nerve ending in her body was alight as she touched the Captain's hands while she received the glass he had brought for her.
There was an awkward silence between the two of them before the Captain tugged his ear, tucked his chin into his chest and looked into her eyes once more. Clearing his throat, he began again. Leaning his shoulder into Maria he whispered...
"So, I trust you are enjoying your first real trip to the opera?" Georg asked.
Maria nodded, her ability to speak dampened by the strange feelings he elicited in her.
"By the way," he continued. "You do look lovely tonight, Fraulein, if you don't mind my saying so. I know you are going to say I should not notice these things, but truly, everyone is noticing! I didn't know a governess could cleanup so well!" Georg said with a wink and a laugh.
The Captain's teasing was back, and Maria relaxed somewhat. When he was making jokes, it seemed so much easier to interact somehow.
"Anyway, I apologize if old Reinhardt is talking your ear off. He's a lot like his namesake that way. Always on the hunt for the next hustle. I hope he has not pressured you into anything?" Georg chided.
Maria shook her head to the negative, still lost in the man's blue eyes. Trying to clear her head and get back to the opera, Maria decided it was safest to talk about the plot.
"Well, Captain, I do liken the two Maxes to Papageno. Comical, lively, the life of the party, happy to take credit for all good things! I do declare there are probably days when you wished you had a padlock for Herr Detweiller's mouth, as well?" Maria laughed.
"Oh-ho, indeed, Fraulein. I could lock him in the wine cellar, and that would have a similar effect, I daresay. What do you think about the power the women have in this performance? Papageno took the credit, but really, the fact that those three magic women were able to destroy the serpent on their own? Incredible. And imagine the likelihood of Tamino falling in love with someone upon first sight. It's scandalous, isn't it? Hardly convent material, hmm?" the Captain teased.
"Oh I don't know, Captain. It's a lovely story. And of course, I am sure that love at first sight is a thing for some...um..not that I know anything about it!" Maria replied with a dry laugh and a little cough.
"And what of Tamino, then, Fraulein?" Georg asked. "If he rescues Pamina, the Queen will give him her hand. I hope Pamina is as interested in him as he is in her. Isn't it just a tad interesting and coincidental that musical instruments and music have such magical powers in this story?"
Maria could feel her insides on fire. Surely, the Captain was talking about the opera, but why was she struck with this sense that there was a level of innuendo and inference in his words? Love at first sight, music possessing magical powers of change?
"Oh Geee-org!" Elsa called with a sultry look in her eye. "Aren't you going to come and keep me company over here? After all, the audience is going to begin to think I am unattached and quite available as I sit here in my perch with a glass of champagne and a cigarette".
Georg could not help but roll his eyes and Maria saw it. She laughed out loud, but quickly tried to stifle it.
Georg dropped his open hands onto his knees and spun in his seat towards Elsa. He leaned backwards towards Maria before leaving to move to his seat.
"Enjoy the rest of the show, ladies!" he whispered, his eyes drifting across Maria's almost bare shoulders before finding her eyes once more.
And with that he rose and moved to sit beside the Baroness in the corner of the box.
Maria's face was still on fire when she turned to Liesl who was trying to stifle a laugh of her own.
"Oh, Father! Fraulein Maria, it is so goooood to have him back again," Liesl sighed as she leaned her head on Maria's left shoulder.
The house lights flashed indicating intermission was about to come to an end. The house began to quiet and soon after, the two Maxes appeared side-by-side, talking animatedly about their plans for the Festival. Maria overheard Herr Detweiller talking about finally signing the Toby Rieser Quintet and that they would be making an appearance at this summer's festival. Their conversation continued until the lights went down, and Herr Reinhardt reached over and squeezed Maria's hands with a wink.
"Wait until you hear Der Hölle Rache, Fraulein. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's [3] voice will knock the roof of this hall clear over the Untersberg!" he said with gleaming smile.
"Fraulein Maria, that was the most incredible thing I have ever seen! What did you think?" Liesl exclaimed as they walked down the red carpeted stairs into the lobby. Herr Reinhardt had invited them all to a little post-performance soirée in the opera lounge and since they only had one car, everyone in the Von Trapp party filed in to the gathering.
"It was indeed so wonderful, Liesl. I will cherish this evening for the rest of my days." Maria replied.
"And now we are going to a gathering of the who's who of Salzburg? Herr Reinhardt says that Elisabeth Schwarzkopf might be stopping by. Imagine you and I meeting the Queen of the Night?" Liesl exclaimed excitedly.
Maria and Liesl followed behind the two Maxes, the warm glow of the table lamps giving the lounge a comforting feeling. Maria's eyes darted about the room as she saw the faces of many esteemed residents of Salzburg who had also been invited. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Although she was feeling a hefty dose of imposter syndrome, she wasn't going to let it show.
They picked up a glass of punch from the table and then wandered to the perimeter of the room where they looked at aritifacts and photographs from past productions.
Don Giovanni, Le Nozze de Figaro, La Traviata, Carmen, Tristan und Isolde...
Some of the greatest stories ever told on stage: humour, drama, death, love...you name it, it was pictured here. And some of the greatest performers to grace an opera hall!
"Wagner is a bit overly dramatic, don't you think?" a voice called over her shoulder.
Maria turned her head to see a young man about 30 dressed in a pin stripe suit standing behind her, a cocktail glass in one hand and a smouldering cigar in the other.
"Oh, perhaps, but I think that is why his work is so attractive," Maria replied with a giggle. "You can't chide him for not putting in full effort".
The mysterious gentleman extended his hand as Maria turned; she paused before tentatively placing hers in his. He lifted it to his lips and pressed them to her gloved hand. Liesl chose that very moment to excuse herself, telling Maria she needed to ask Uncle Max a question. Maria, wide-eyed and somewhat taken aback at her abandonment tried to regain her composure before looking this man in the eye.
"How do you do, Fraulein Maria? I apologize for taking such liberties, it seems I scared your friend away. What poor etiquette, scaring off the young ladies! And of course, I know who you are, but you would have no idea about me, I presume? My name is Wolfie- I am Max's son, Wolfgang Reinhardt [4].
"Oh my goodness, Herr Reinhardt, it's lovely to meet you!" Maria exclaimed.
All at once Maria's mind tumbled back to that fateful day when she first met the Captain and made a joke about being governess to Herr Reinhardt's children - and here she was, face-to-face with one of them!
"Oh, it is my pleasure!" Wolfgang grinned widely. "I do declare that I've been looking forward to meeting you. I've heard Max -Detweiller, of course - talking to my father about you. You're an intriguing individual and now that I've seen you for myself, I dare say that I would add "bewitching" to the list of appropriate adjectives"
Maria felt her cheeks start to burn and she giggled and looked down, trying to avoid the look in the young man's eyes. Why was it this was happening more and more lately? Herr Bauer. Leo. Randall. The Captain. Even Max had looked at her a bit sideways earlier this evening. Surely, she wasn't imagining things?
"I don't know about bewitching, Herr Reinhardt..." Maria replied bashfully.
"Wolfie, please." Wolfgang replied.
"If you insist" Maria sighed.
"So the young lady you were with..." Wolfie said gesturing with his head towards Liesl and her father in the corner. "Is that Captain Von Trapp's daughter? She's beautiful!"
"And she's 16!" Maria said with a bit more force than intended. "She has not come out yet, of course".
"Ah, I see. She dressed up beautifully, I would have placed her as 20-21. Oh, you as well, Fraulein Maria. Not that you are 20 or 21. I see you a bit older than that. More refined. Whatever your age, I do declare that your dress is beautiful, and I'd say you're just about the right age for me!" Wolfie laughed. "Honestly, I'm surprised the old man let both of you out of the house without an army corps to beat the men off. I heard from Max that he's rather protective!"
"Well, he's changed. Not so lost in his grief. I think he missed the fact that his daughter has grown up without him realizing," Maria replied
"You told him this, I trust; you seem the type to call a spade a spade!" Wolfie said with a wink.
"Oh, yes, Sir. Although "told" is an understatement. I am quite sure I was yelling at him at the time!" Maria laughed.
"You told the great Captain off?" Wolfgang wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Now I'd definitely be adding bewitching..."
Maria rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious, Fraulein. No one tells a Captain what to do - particularly that one! Surely you would understand?"
"I think that was the problem, Herr Rein..."
Wolfie cocked an eyebrow in her direction, and she rolled her eyes again and huffed before laughing out loud.
"Sorry. Wolfie. That's the problem! No one would tell him what he needed to hear. But anyway, it's very uncharitable of me to talk about my employer like this to others. Pardon my insensitivity. I just say whatever comes into my head, although I've been working on that with some success, but I still have a long way to go".
"I hear you were a nun? Is that true?" Wolfie enquired.
Maria felt her face aflame.
"No." Maria replied with a deflated sigh. "I've been a novice since I arrived in Salzburg. The Sisters don't think I'm cut out to be a Nun. And maybe they are right. It's a bit of a failure when you can't even get yourself a permanent place in a convent!"
"Now, now now...why would you say that?" Max questioned. "Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that you can carry yourself like any of the well-to-do women of Salzburg. You crave adventure? You dress up beautifully! Had no one told me about your vocation before, I would have had no idea you lived a life of austerity and self-discipline not even six months ago!"
He leaned in close to her ear and whispered: "I'd say you could even give that Baroness Schraeder a run for her money!"
Maria laughed out loud, almost snorting into her punch. Wiping her nose politely, she flashed a broad smile at Wolfie, trying to comprehend the foolishness of the compliments coming out of his mouth. Imagine, her, Maria, giving Baroness Schraeder some competition. The idea was completely absurd. They weren't even in the same stratosphere!
Wolfgang watched Maria as a torrent of thoughts clouded her head. He could see it on her face - the lady was putty in his hands.
"Say, Fraulein," he continued. "Let's talk some more. Would you like to hear some of the stories behind these photographs? Come...".
Wolfie put his hand on Maria's lower back and steered her over to the corner where the photos started chronologically.
--xoxox--
On the other side of the room, Georg, who was standing with Liesl and Elsa, had seen enough.
Elsa was tittering with some stuffy railway executive talking about Heinrich's former exploits, and Liesl and Max were deconstructing the performance. Georg's eyes had not left Maria's since she arrived at the theatre, so he certainly did not not miss her across the room engaging with that philandering oaf Wolfgang Reinhardt.
While Georg liked Max Reinhardt a great deal, his two sons, particularly the eldest, had a reputation with the ladies. And tonight, Wolfgang Reinhardt was a hungry cat looking at Maria like she was his dinner. He tried to keep it together, but when the rake put his hands on her, he could not stay out of it any longer. He vaguely heard Elsa trying to compete for his attention before he strode across the room, looking so much like the Captain he was.
He came along side Maria and turned his body into their conversation to interrupt. Maria startled and turned to see him standing there.
"Oh Captain, have you met..."
"Yes, we've met. Wolfgang, how do you do? I see you've met my governess?" Georg snapped coldly and with emphasis. "Speaking of, Fraulein, Liesl needs you right now, so Wolfgang, if you'll excuse us."
Maria furrowed her brow and turned her head towards the corner where Liesl was standing. She was quite engaged with the Baroness and another young person.
"Captain, I don't see the urgency." Maria interjected, digging her kitten heels into the carpet as he tried to steer her away. "Liesl looks like she's having a lovely conversation with Baroness Schraeder, surely you want to encourage that..."
"Fraulein," Georg snapped. "Need I remind you that I make decisions for my daughter, and if I inform you that you are needed at this moment to care for my children, then I expect you will do as you are asked."
Wolfgang went to open his mouth to protest, but Georg shot him a look of death and he quickly grimaced and backed away, mumbling something to Maria that he would go and refresh his beverage.
"Captain!" Maria shouted in a whisper. "That was rude and completely uncalled for!"
Maria crossed her arms and looked him square in the face, trying her best to contain her anger, despite the fact that the little flame in her chest was now fully engulfed. She bit her lip hard, trying her best to let the words out properly, but they were going to be said regardless.
"For someone who was decorated by the Emperor, I would surely like to know why you have forgotten your manners this evening!" Maria hissed. She was not having any of this nonsense, even from her employer. "We were just having a completely harmless conversation. You could have asked for my assistance in a non-threatening way!"
"He put his hands on you. Twice! And you consider that a harmless encounter? You just met moments ago!" Georg spat. "He's a no-good philanderer; uses his father's notoriety to win favours!"
How did the Captain know he had touched her twice? Maria wondered.
"We were simply looking at the photographs of the past productions, Captain. He was directing me to where we should start! Argh!" Maria shook her head and huffed. She was so angry she didn't know what to say. The hall of the Opera House was certainly not the place she would be seen losing her mind on her employer. Weighing her options, she instead turned on her heel and called over her shoulder:
"I'll be visiting the powder room, Captain, then I will see to your daughter."
And with that she stormed off in a huff and left the room.
Georg was dumbfounded and he stood there alone like a statue, his eyes following Maria as she stormed out of the hall. He turned slowly and tried to regain his composure and his eyes found Elsa across the room. Her initial expression was one of confusion, but she quickly chased it away and offered him a sarcastic smile. He took a deep breath and smiled back, but it didn't meet his eyes. Straightening his collar, he walked back over towards where Elsa, Liesl, and the two Maxxes had gathered around some high society opera sponsors.
While there were many conversations going around him, Georg could only recall the fire in Maria's eyes as she replied to his accusations. He knew she was angry, but she was trying her darndest to keep it under control. Things were not likely over between them by any means. He was surely in for it when they got home.
While the thoughts of raising the ire of Maria distressed him on one hand, on the other he found it entirely stimulating.
After several minutes milling about, Georg finally caught Maria out of the corner of his eye. She had returned to the room, but he could tell that she was still angry.
Georg whispered to Liesl who soon bounded over to Maria's side, and both began to study the artwork and photographs once more. Wolfie, for his part, had moved on to greener pastures that didn't involve a possessive sea captain.
"So, uh, what was THAT about?"
Max was so close to Georg when he asked, he could feel his voice rumbling through his chest.
"Nothing."
"Something. I haven't seen you that protective of a woman's virtue since you first met Agathe." Max whispered.
"Drop it, Max. It was nothing. Don't you and Max have some festival stuff to talk about?" Georg huffed before heading to the bar to grab a drink.
Eventually, Maria sat down with Liesl, her ears full of the young woman's stories of the opera, about the festival, about how she had met some of the cast...Maria didn't hear much of it. She was still seething, fighting back angry tears, and all she wanted to do now was go home. Her head was still spinning from Wolfie's compliments and what it all could mean. She was angry at the Captain's apparent ownership of her time. However, she was equally tortured by the way the Captain had looked at her earlier that evening: he had looked at her like she was a woman and not just a governess.
In just a few hours she had seen so many things in his eyes, and most recently they were on fire. His anger quite blown out of proportion over a singular interaction that he did not approve of.
Could the man have been jealous?
Hadn't she asked herself this question not too long ago?
But it was impossible...highly improbable.
Perhaps. Although the thought of his blue eyes telling her something she could not decode made her burn inside, at this very moment, she was incensed with him. She would not give that pig-headed oaf the time of day if he had asked.
Georg von Trapp was a man in all senses of the word. And just like any man, he had his likes, his hang-ups, his temptations, his desires. Although he spent the evening in the company of Elsa Schraeder, one of the most elegant and beautiful women in all of Austria at the Salzburg Opera House, he had been terribly conflicted.
No, with every ounce of his being, he had wanted to be in the company of the most natural and beautiful woman in all of Austria. Not just any woman, but the young woman in the aubergine dress, simply cut, elegantly designed; practically bare shouldered, the one who left his heart pounding like a hot-blooded teenager.
"Verdammt!" he cursed out loud.
She was breath-taking. Beautiful. Attractive. Desirable.
And a Novice!
What made it all the more painful was the way that so many young men in the crowd had noticed her, too. They were looking at her like she was dessert after the opera's main course. They weren't looking at Elsa, they were looking at her.
It made him crazy.
But why?
Of course, it must have been born from his duty to protect her, not simply because he had been attracted to her since the day he met. Georg was never a jealous man. For the most part.
He had been holding it together until that rake, Wolfgang, came along at the after-party and started chatting her up. Questioning her vocation. Taking liberties with how close he got to her. Whispering in her ear. Making her blush. Touching her.
"Scheiße!" he swore again.
There were a handful of moments that evening when he wanted to stroll up to Wolfgang Reinhardt and lift him by the scruff of the neck and politely advise him to leave his governess alone and then drag her into the coat check room and have his way with her.
"Scheiße!" Again!
Now he had to live with the consequences of his ego. Maria did not show him gratitude for interrupting them and saving her; instead, she seemed incensed by it. He had not been that big of an ass, had he?
The unfortunate outcome: Maria was as angry at him as a harassed bee. In retrospect, he totally deserved it. He could talk all night long and tell her he was protecting her from the likes of Wolfgang Reinhardt, but Maria would not buy it. She could totally look after herself. Once she got over her rage, she would go looking for a bigger reason, she would question her suitability - that it wasn't appropriate for her to be there in the first place.
Her anger was not unexpected, now that he thought about it. But, soon, it would turn to hurt, and he could not bear to think of that. He hated the thought of anyone hurting her almost as much as some philanderer touching her.
Now as he wandered the gravel path along the lakeside, he wondered what emotion strangled him the most at that moment.
She was beautiful...stunning...simple, yet elegant. Combined with her beauty of heart, what man wouldn't fall for her? So, yes, Georg was probably jealous.
Actually, completely jealous. Not that he had any entitlement as far as she was concerned beyond that of employer/employee.
But oh-hoh! Despite the fact that he probably wrecked her evening, he could also admit to himself how much he loved to argue with her. He loved to see her get so fired up that her eyes blazed. He had not seen her that angry since the day of their big falling out on the landing. Ever since then, they had managed their tempers despite their shared stubbornnes.
Lord, when they fought, it was the most vitalizing experience. She was a woman's woman - not a man's object, by any means. He found her independence and drive terribly attractive, desirable, unsettling...
He swallowed hard.
However, Georg had to park his hot-bloodedness and snap out of it. He wasn't entitled to anything, and he had been given the wonderful gift of her trust and friendship, and tonight he blew it. He needed to make things right and apologize and worry about the feelings later.
"How the Hell am I going to get out this mess?" he asked the Heavens.
"Well, Captain. I am not a Termagant, so you could start with a simple apology and see how that works for you!" a voice called out from the direction of the gazebo.
He turned his head, startled, and looked over his shoulder to see Maria sitting on the bench. Hands clasped. She was still wearing that dress.
"Verdammt!" he signed.
Georg palmed his face and slowly turned towards Maria. He tried to read her body language before moving, but she wasn't giving him anything to work with. She didn't even look at him.
He shuffled his heavy feet in her direction, stopping far enough away that he would have the upper hand if he was forced to flee if she attacked.
"Listen, Fraulein, I am terribly sorry for making an ass of myself tonight. I am sorry if I embarrassed you. I am sorry I wrecked your evening at the Opera. I was...I was... I guess I must have..."
"Captain. I'm not a child!" Maria snapped. "I understand that I've been living in a convent for almost 2 years, but I did have a life before that. While I may not have been commanding submarines, I do have a pretty good judge of character and possess some street smarts. I understand that Wolfgang was taking liberties for someone who had just met me, but I could handle myself.
Perhaps, Captain, if you'd stop to think for a minute you'd have seen that I was not under duress and I actually was enjoying his attention? Wasn't it you who told me to have the best summer ever? Frankly, if you were worried that I would end up in some compromising position, then you don't know me well at all. We were in plain sight. I was safe. I wanted to see what the world offered me, even if I could not take it."
Georg was speechless. He felt like an ass.
A big, stupid, arrogant ass.
"Fraulein, I ..." he tried to put words together, but his mouth felt like chalk.
"It was you, Captain," Maria continued as she hung her head down. "You told me to have the best summer ever...and it has been the best summer ever! The children, picnics, bike rides, boating accidents, riding horses, shopping, laughing, playing piano, and now the opera. And whether you like it or not, the opera included Wolfgang Reinhardt 'sizing me up'! Surely you must know better to think I would allow him to manipulate me!" Maria said with a dry laugh.
"...and almost every other man in the place, Fraulein, but that's another story", Georg whispered to himself.
"I realize it's God's will that I return to the Abbey at the end of the summer, and when the time comes, I will be the Worst. Nun. Ever. I will be constantly pining for fresh air, fun, and friendship. I will escape whenever I can to have the sun on my face, even if it is only into my memories. Mozart and his magic flute literally rocked me to my core, Captain. Never before have I felt goose pimples from music the way I did tonight. Not even in the chapel has my heart soared so high!"
Maria made the sign of the cross before continuing.
"I was so lost, it was so wonderful - and as much as I would love to stay angry with you, Captain, I just can't. Because you have given me these opportunities to live, to experience, to remember! From the very beginning when you didn't understand or even realize it, you have given me so many gifts. This job was a blessing, even though the day I found out that I was to come here I was devastated. Now, I fear the day I go back will be equally as difficult, if not more so."
There was a long pause as Georg tried to decide what to say. Instead, Maria looked up and caught his eye. She gave him a watery smile before sighing and shrugging her shoulders.
"Do you remember, Captain, the day you gave me a hard time about Leo? About his intentions? That was what tonight was about, wasn't it?" Maria enquired.
Georg opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"I do appreciate you looking out for me, I really do. And I am sorry if I got angry with you, especially in public amongst your peers. I know your heart was in the right place, and frankly, you were doing the thinking for both of us. Although I loved the opera, I had no place at an after-party with the who's-who of the Salzburg culture club."
This is exactly what I said she was going to do...Georg thought to himself.
Georg looked at Maria and she appeared like she was fighting an internal battle. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bench and they both faced the lake.
"No, no, Fraulein!" Georg said with a sigh. "I was an ass and you have every right to be angry with me. You were right - I was the one who wanted you to enjoy your summer most of all - it brings me such joy to see you enjoying what life has to offer. You bring so much joy and light to everyone else, you deserve to be happy. I just know that both Gottfried and Wolfgang Reinhardt have a bit of reputation, for lack of a better word. I realize that wasn't fair to judge him so quickly, and it most certainly wasn't fair to you. Will you accept my apology. I am sorry I wrecked your evening, I really am. I own this one, Fraulein."
"Captain!" Maria turned towards him before continuing.
"You made this evening possible. Even if it was Herr Detweiller's box to give away, you allowed me to go. Most employers would not allow their governesses to go to a social and cultural event like this. They wouldn't buy them this dress!" Maria exclaimed as she picked up the skirt around her knees and fluffed it into the air.
"And you are right, I should have been with Liesl. That is why I was there in the first place. It's just ... well, I forgot my place. I am the one who should be apologizing!" Maria sighed.
"Fraulein, Fraulein, Fraulein, thou and I are too wise and stubborn to apologize peacefully! [5]" Georg replied.
Maria's face shone with a wide smile as she caught what he was trying to say.
"Touché, Captain. We are a little like oil and water, aren't we? When we fight, we can fight like our lives depend on it. But apologizing, well, that is another story."
Georg tilted his head down but lifted his eyes towards Maria's.
"So, I'm forgiven, then?" he asked.
Maria rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Of course, Captain! However, you will have to say your penance to the Lord tonight for all those blasphemies you have uttered this evening. But that is between you and Him." she said with a rolling laugh.
"And, Fraulein. I don't want to complicate matters..."
Georg fixed Maria with a look that said "he meant' it, but his tone was playful.
"But what you said just now," he continued. "About it being hard to leave. I want you to know that you will always have a place here with us. No matter how long you want to stay, the door is always open. Please remember that as you live your best summer ever. There doesn't have to be an ending if you so choose! You can always be the worst nun ever in the great outdoors of Salzburg or here with the children, am I right?"
Maria nodded her head and closed her eyes before opening them again to meet the Captain's.
"Thank you, Captain. For everything."
Elsa stood silently at her bedroom window looking out over the lake, but she wasn't looking at the water. Her eyes were darting across the corner of the property towards the gazebo. The moon wasn't shining tonight, and the coach lamps didn't brighten things enough for her liking, but she knew that they were out there. Together.
She had seen Maria go outside after helping Liesl out of her dress and into bed; she appeared to be seeing red several hours after the opera après-show. Surely, that is why Georg followed her - to apologize for his intervention. While Elsa didn't appreciate the attention Georg was giving the governess tonight, she could appreciate that he did the right thing by separating her from that philandering oaf, even if he did cause a scene. Fraulein Maria would not know an unsavory sort if he hit her in the face. It's a good thing Georg did the thinking for both of them before she tarnished his family's reputation!
Nevertheless, Elsa was beginning to think that Georg's actions were much more than protecting the best interests of his daughter and her governess and more about being jealous of Wolfgang Reinhardt. She could practically feel the man vibrating while they stood together sipping champagne and munching on canapés, his eyes fixed on the corner of the room where the girl and the rake stood.
Georg had finally snapped when Wolfgang put his hand on the girl's lower back and had steered her towards some of the artwork and photography. Georg left Elsa's side rather suddenly and had done his best to get the girl back into her 'role' and away from the ne'er-do-well bachelor who had a reputation that would put Casanova to shame.
It wasn't about Wolfgang, though. She was sure. It was definitely about Maria.
Why? Elsa had no idea...Fraulein Maria was as plain as buttered bread; however, there was this side of Georg that seemed to like to skip the foie gras and settle for the schnitzel. it was beginning to be a concern to see the way those two interacted. They had always been too familiar for her liking, but since they all returned from Innsbruck, things had changed. Oh! how she would love to go back in time and change her mind about traveling to the Whitehead's with them. Something had to have happened while they were there to allow this to develop. Perhaps she could chat up Liesl and find out what had transpired.
More and more lately, Elsa felt like Georg wasn't even present at the villa, even when he was in plain sight. On days when she and Georg were together, he was often far away. He would be watching her play with the children, she'd catch him laughing at their hijinks. Sometimes in the evening, Elsa would catch him smiling to no one at all over the top of his glass of brandy.
Thinking about her, no doubt.
Their 'meetings' had become more frequent - even if they were not planned. Georg always had an excuse to call on her, or he'd find her in the library, the kitchen, or more frequently outdoors where the likelihood of anyone eavesdropping on them was lower.
Elsa had lived long enough to know when a man had been charmed; Georg was a man, after all. Although he had been relatively cold to the touch intimately over the many months they had been together, there had to be a fire deep down inside of him just waiting for the right moment to blaze. All along, Elsa had assumed it was grief that kept him from being passionate again. She was beginning to wonder if she had read that entirely wrong.
Things were definitely changing, and although Elsa certainly chalked it up to nothing more than a passing fancy - what man wouldn't be enamoured with a young, virginal thing in an aubergine, bias cut, Vionnet-inspired dress? Wolfgang Reinhardt, for one, and most likely his old man Maxwell. So, why not Georg?
Fortunately, Fraulein Maria would be back to her governess finery by morning and Elsa would get this ship righted and out to open water again.
She did have a few tricks up her sleeves, after all.
[1] In 1775, Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Franz Josef von Colloredo-Mannsfeld ordered the "Fürsterzbischöfliches Hoftheater" be built to replace the Ballhaus which had stood at the location since 1625.
[2] The all-knowing Wikipedia has a page about the Magic Flute. Information about its premiere performance was lifted from there.
[3] Dame Elizabeth Schwarzkopf was an active lyric soprano in the 1930s. She held British, German and Austrian citizenship and was best known for her warm tones and performances of German lieder and the works of Mozart, Brahms and Mahler. There was much controversy surrounding her membership in the Nazi party - but supporters have insisted she kept politics and culture separate.
[4] Wolfgang Reinhardt was born in 1908 and went on to be a famous screenwriter and producer. One of his productions was Die Trapp Familie (1956) which was the basis for the stage production of the Sound of Music - and eventually this movie we all love to love. So, he's about 30 in this chapter. Oh, and I have no idea if Wolfgang or his younger brother, Gottfried, were philanderers. My sincere apologies to them both if they were saints their whole lives.
[5] Sorry, Will, but I could not resist stealing/manipulating this line from one of my favourite works of W.S. Hearts to Beatrice and Benedick.