Patricia Neway, Muriel O’Malley, and Elizabeth Howell were talented stage actresses who sang the Maria lyrics in The Sound of Music. They played the nuns in the scene at the Abbey and helped bring humor and heart to the moment.
Patricia Neway was a strong opera singer and actress. She played the Mother Abbess on Broadway and won a Tony Award for her role in The Consul. Her bold and powerful voice on stage made her a standout performer.
Muriel O’Malley played Sister Berthe and was known for her deep singing voice. She performed in many musicals, including The King and I and Carousel. Elizabeth Howell played Sister Margaretta and was praised for her warm voice and kind presence on stage.
About the Song
Maria from The Sound of Music is a fun and thoughtful song sung by the nuns at the Abbey. It shows how they are both frustrated and fond of Maria, a lively and free-spirited girl who doesn’t quite fit into the rules of the Abbey.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | 1959 |
| Album | The Sound of Music |
| Writers | Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II & Rodgers & Hammerstein |
| Producers | Goddard Lieberson |
Maria by Patricia & Others Lyrics
BERTHE
She climbs a tree
And scrapes her knee
Her dress has got a tear
SOPHIA
She waltzes on her way to mass
And whistles on the stair
BERTHE
And underneath her wimple
She has curlers in her hair
SOPHIA
I’ve even heard her singing in the abbey
BERTHE
She’s always late for chapel
SOPHIA
But her penitence is real
BERTHE
She’s always late for everything
Except for every meal
I hate to have to say it
But I very firmly feel
Maria’s not an asset to the abbey
MARGARETTA
I’d like to say a word in her behalf
MOTHER ABBESS, spoken
Then say it, Sister Margaretta
MARGARETTA
Maria makes me laugh
SOPHIA
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
MOTHER ABBESS
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
MARGARETTA
How do you find a word that means Maria?
BERTHE
A flibbertigibbet?
SOPHIA
A will-o’-the-wisp?
MARGARETTA
A clown?
MOTHER ABBESS
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
MARGARETTA
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say?
MOTHER ABBESS
How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
MARGARETTA
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
MOTHER ABBESS
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
MARGARETTA
When I’m with her I’m confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
BERTHE
Unpredictable as weather
She’s as flighty as a feather
MARGARETTA
She’s a darling
BERTHE
She’s a demon
MARGARETTA
She’s a lamb
SOPHIA
She’ll out-pester any pest
Drive a hornet from his nest
BERTHE
She can throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
MARGARETTA
She is gentle, she is wild
SOPHIA
She’s a riddle, she’s a child
BERTHE
She’s a headache
MARGARETTA
She’s an angel
MOTHER ABBESS
She’s a girl
MOTHER ABBESS, BERTHE, MARGARETTA & SOPHIA
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
MARGARETTA
A flibbertigibbet?
SOPHIA
A will-o’-the-wisp?
BERTHE
A clown?
MOTHER ABBESS, BERTHE, MARGARETTA & SOPHIA
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
MOTHER ABBESS
But how do you make her stay
SOPHIA
And listen to all you say?
MARGARETTA
How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
MOTHER ABBESS, BERTHE, MARGARETTA & SOPHIA
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
Similar Songs Like Maria
If you enjoy the soft and thoughtful style of the song Maria from The Sound of Music, known for its gentle melody and playful lyrics about a unique character, here are a few songs with a similar feel.
- Climb Ev’ry Mountain: This moving song gives a strong message to follow your dreams no matter how hard the path may be.
- My Favorite Things: A cheerful tune that lists little joys in life, showing how thinking of happy things can help during tough times.
- Preludium: This is the first song in The Sound of Music. Sung by the nuns, including Muriel O’Malley and Elizabeth Howell, it sets a peaceful and somber tone that introduces the story.
Similar Artists Like Patricia, Muriel, and Elizabeth
Fans who enjoy the classic voices and graceful storytelling of these performers will also like these artists from musical theater and opera.
- Mary Martin
Genre: Musical Theater, Broadway
Top Roles: Maria in The Sound of Music (Broadway, 1959), Nellie in South Pacific (1949) - Julie Andrews
Genre: Musical Theater, Film Soundtracks
Top Roles: Maria in The Sound of Music (Film, 1965), Eliza in My Fair Lady (Stage, 1956) - Eileen Farrell
Genre: Opera, Classical Crossover
Top Albums: Puccini Arias (1958), I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues (1960) - Rise Stevens
Genre: Opera, Light Classical
Top Albums: Carmen (Recorded 1951), Arias and Duets with Jan Peerce (1952)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Maria Appear in the Musical?
Maria appears early in the musical, right after she misses prayers. The song introduces her fun, free-spirited nature and reveals how the other nuns perceive her personality.
When was Maria First Performed?
The song “Maria” was first performed in the 1959 Broadway musical “The Sound of Music” and later in the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews.
What Makes Maria Different from Other Character Introduction Songs?
Instead of Maria singing about herself, other characters sing about her. This makes the song unique, as it reveals how others perceive and feel about her from their perspective.
