Traditional Austrian/German songs?

[ivyflight]

Hey everyone-I'm writing a story set in Austria in the 1940s. My FMC loves to sing, and I have her as a soprano. I want to be able to talk about her music, but I know very little about any music. Any internet searching I've done all relates back to opera, and though I envision her as a soprano with potential to go into opera if she so wants to (haven't really thought of future, just know that now she isn't), I'm having trouble finding songs a young Austrian girl would know and love to sing in the 1940s that don't relate to drinking, Oktoberfests, etc.
I'll be up for any info you have (even relating to opera) but I'm looking for sweet, soprano songs she might be interested in. Nothing bawdy-even if its sad, something beautiful.
They don't even have to be Austrian-her favorite is Ave Maria, which is written in Latin.
Actually, now that I think about it, any French songs work as well, given that her mother is French.
And-I already checked-Edelweiss is a showtune written in the '50s. Sorry, fellow Sound of Music fans.
Thank you for your help!

[annieofwessex]

Hey, Ivy~ My Opa was from WW2 era Germany (he immigrated to the US and fought for the US Army, just to clarify) so I might be able to help.
The first German song I can think of is 'Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi'. It's not necessarily a 'Christmas' song (the lyrics are depressing if you speak German) but it is sung around Christmastime, if that makes sense. The song is talking about an orphaned baby whom the angels are comforting, and it's been around since the late Victorian era. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgyA7a6OOB0).
For irony's sake, there actually IS a 1941 German march called Es war ein Edelweiss; it's actually talking about getting married rather than war, which is nice! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1IfddO9y8Q)
Here's an Austrian march written in 1902, called Unter dem Doppeladler. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AwIWi6r0p4)

Finally, my favourite WW2 era song. It's English, sang by the wonderful Dame Vera Lynn. It may not be the most 'correct' for Nazi Austria, but it's a lovely song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcunREYzNY)
Hope that helps~

[ivyflight]

These are all FANTASTIC. Thank you, Anna I especially love Vera and 'Abed Heidschi Bumbeidschi-' they're perfect for what I was thinking of. Isolde is learning English and as such, I think she would love to sing Vera Lynn's music, and AHB sounds like something she would sing to Gabriel after a Nazi knocks on their door or something...
Thank you so, so much.
Going to go replay We'll Meet Again actually now...