The Sound of Music, which takes place during the late 1930s, opens on a sweeping view of the Austrian Alps and a young woman, Maria (played by Julie Andrews), singing. When she hears church bells, she hurries back to the abbey, where she is a postulant, but she arrives too late for the church service. She tries to explain herself to the Mother Abbess (Peggy Wood), who tells her that she is to take up a position as governess to the seven children of the widowed former naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). When she arrives to take up her post, she learns that the captain requires military discipline from his children (ranging in age from 5 to 16) and expects the same from Maria. After dinner the eldest, Liesl (Charmian Carr), sneaks out to meet with Rolfe (Daniel Truhitte), a telegraph messenger. Maria’s warmth and kindness quickly win the children’s affection.