Musical Theatre Solo 1: Edelweiss

Name: Edelweiss 

Character: George Von Trapp 

From: The Sound Of Music (1959)

By: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

 

I believe this song is a reflection on the society in which we live, although I feel that it applies a great deal more to society in the period of which the song was written. The song details Captain George Von Trapp saying goodbye to his homeland: Austria after pressure is being placed on him to join the navy of Nazi Germany in World War Two. However, his description of the flower "Edelweiss" shows his devotion and love for his homeland. This reflects society particularly from the period due to men being drafted for World War Two often against their will with them being between the ages of 18-45 and some even younger. Many of them were fathers who did not want to leave their wives and children who didn't want to be in a conflict and have that risk of death put upon them. Although not to the same extent, this kind of sentiment is still seen in elements of our society today, with many people pressured into certain jobs based on their gender; particularly in low income countries where jobs are hard to come by, many work in factories, mines and other dangerous environments where they are forced to work in conditions where they risk their lives and in some instances where they are exposed to harmful substances that even shorten their lives. 

Mock Performance