Marie Geistinger

A singer from Graz conquers America

„Just tell me the truth right away, I’ve heard enough flattery. I prefer a fair critique, even if it’s negative.

She was called the ‘darling of America’; she was a star, theatre director, beauty icon of her time and a self-determined, unconventional woman. Marie ‘Charlotte Cäcilie’ Geistinger, daughter of a retired Russian court actor couple, was born in Graz. She made her debut in various children’s roles at the age of eight. The family moved to Vienna, where Marie received thorough training as an actress and singer. At the age of 19, she was hired by the Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna, after which she went on tour and performed in Hamburg, Berlin and Riga before being recruited by the Theater an der Wien, where she quickly became a favourite with audiences.

In 1865, she thrilled audiences as Beautiful Helen. With her interpretations, she not only reflected the tastes of the time, but also embodied the ideal of womanhood in that era. Jacques Offenbach called her the “queen of operetta” and Johann Strauss, the Younger, also admired her and dedicated the operetta “Walzerkönigin” to her. Thanks to her acting talent, Geistinger also became a celebrated popular actress and tragedienne. In 1869, she took over the direction of the Theater an der Wien together with Maximilian Steiner, but despite great artistic success, she was forced to step down in 1875 due to financial losses.

After that, she went travelling again: She completed a total of seven tours in the United States, where she enjoyed success with both her operetta and classical repertoire, established her international fame and, last but not least, earned a considerable fortune that enabled her to purchase the Rastenfeld estate near Bruck an der Mur (Styria). She ended her stage career five years before her death. She spent her twilight years in her Klagenfurt home, which was full of art treasures.