Please be prepared to read one of the following monologues. You will be RECITING this, NOT SINGING it.
Well, you see, the sky was so blue today and everything was so green and fragrant, I just had to be a part of it. And the And the Untersberg kept leading me higher and higher as though it wanted me to go right through the clouds with it. Mother, I could never be lost up there. That's my mountain. I was brought up on it. It was the mountain that led me to you. When I was a child, I would come down the mountain and climb a tree and look over into your garden. I'd see the sisters at work and I'd hear them sing on their way to vespers. Which brings me to another transgression, Reverend Mother. I was singing out there today without permission.
Dear Father, now I know why You've sent me here. To help these children prepare themselves for a new mother. And I pray that this will become a happy family in Thy sight. God bless the Captain, God bless Liesland Friedrich, God bless Louisa, Brigitta, Marta and little Gretl. And, oh, I forgot the other boy. What's his name? Well, God bless What's-his-name.
God bless the Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta ... (sees Liesl try to exit the room) ...and everybody at Nonnberg Abbey. And now, dear God, about Liesl. Help her to know that I'm her friend, and help her to tell me what she's been up to. Help me to be understanding so that I may guide her footsteps. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Fraulein Maria, I don't know how much the Mother Abbess has told you. You are the twelfth in a long line of governesses, who have come to look after my children since their mother died. I trust that you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.
(Maria gives him a look)
There's nothing wrong with the children -- only the governesses. They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it, this house cannot be properly run. You will please remember that, Fraulein. Every morning you will drill the children in their studies. I will not permit them to dream away their summer holidays. Each afternoon, they will march about the grounds, breathing deeply. Bedtime is to be strictly observed, no exceptions...You will see to it that they conduct themselves at all times with the utmost orderliness and decorum. I'm placing you in command.
(To Liesl): Well, let's see. (pacing) I could come here by mistake -- with a telegram for Colonel Schneider. He's here from Berlin staying with -- Oh, no one's supposed to know he's here. Don't tell your father, now.......Some people think we ought to be German, and they're very mad at those who don't think so. They're getting ready to -- Well, let's hope your father doesn't get into trouble
he's leaving for Vienna in the morning.....The last time he visited the Baroness he stayed for a month.....I shouldn't be saying this -- not to you, I mean I don't know you that well -- but if you ask me, the Captain's thinking very seriously of marrying the woman before the summer's over....Yes ... well ... Good night.
I was out taking a walk and somebody locked the doors earlier than usual and I didn't want to wake everybody up. So, when I saw your window open-- You're not going to tell Father, are you?That's how we always got into this room to play tricks on the governess. Louisa can make it with a whole jar of spiders in her hand. I told you today I didn't need a governess. Well, maybe I do.
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever
I have a wonderful idea, Georg. Let's really fill this house with music. You must give a grand and glorious party for me while I'm here. Yes, I think it's high time I met all your friends here in Salzburg, and they met me. Don't you agree?
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Last updated: Mon Dec 3 21:00 2012