Marianne Schönauer

Did her laughter once echo near this very spot? Marianne Schönauer, a name that still dances on the Viennese air. She rests here, a beloved actress and singer who graced Vienna’s stages and screens. Marianne Schönauer, born Marianne Schifferes in Vienna on May 31, 1920. Her father, a Jewish man, made the heartbreaking decision to emigrate to France in 1939, seeking refuge from the encroaching darkness. Sadly, his escape was short-lived. He was captured, sent to the Drancy internment camp, and ultimately perished in Auschwitz. During the war, Marianne, classified as “half-Jewish,” faced a work ban. Fear became her constant companion, the Gestapo’s shadow looming large. She changed her name repeatedly, a desperate attempt to evade their grasp, and scraped by with odd jobs, her dreams and ambitions temporarily deferred. When the war finally ended, the curtain rose again on Marianne’s life. From 1945 to 1948, she graced the Volkstheater stage, her talent shining brightly. She continued her theatrical journey at the Raimundtheater in 1949 and the Landestheater Salzburg in 1950, her reputation growing with each performance. In 1951, she returned to Vienna, performing at the Stadttheater and, most notably, at the prestigious Theater in der Josefstadt, where she remained, with some interruptions, until 1987. Marianne Schönauer wasn’t confined to the stage. From 1946 onward, the silver screen beckoned. She shared the spotlight with renowned actors like Hans Moser, O.W. Fischer, and Johannes Heesters, her performances captivating audiences. In the 1950s and 60s, her voice, clear and melodious, charmed listeners as she embarked on a successful singing career. Marianne’s legacy extends beyond her artistic achievements. Her personal life, too, was a tapestry of love and loss. She was married to Gustav Manker, a prominent stage designer, director, and theater director. In the year 2000, Vienna honored this remarkable woman by naming a street after her: Marianne-Schönauer-Gasse, a permanent reminder of her enduring presence in the city she loved. Here, at her final resting place, we remember Marianne Schönauer. Her talent, her resilience, and her vibrant spirit continue to inspire.