Vienna mourns: Elisabeth Orth, the Doyenne of the Burgtheater, died!

Vienna mourns: Elisabeth Orth, the Doyenne of the Burgtheater, died!

Wien, Österreich - On May 18, 2025, Elisabeth Orth, the Doyenne of the Burgtheater, died at the age of 89. Her impressive career as an actress and director made her an outstanding figure in the Vienna Theater Landscape. In a first statement, the Vienna City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler expressed her deep dismay about the loss of Orth and paid tribute to her life's work: "Her work was a sign against hate, anti-Semitism and forgetting," said Kaup-Hasler.

Elisabeth Orth was born in Vienna in 1936 when the daughter of the famous actor Paula Wessely and Attila Hörbiger. She started her artistic career as a film cutter before she studied languages ​​and worked as a director's assistant. After completing the Max Reinhardt Seminar, she chose the artist name Orth, which was based on his mother's name on her grandmother's girl's name. In 1968 she became a permanent member of the Burgtheater and shaped the Vienna Theater scene as one of the central figures.

persistent success and social commitment

Orth was not only active in the theater, but also appeared in film and television. She worked committed against anti -Semitism and xenophobia and received numerous awards during her career. The honors include the Josef Kainz Medal of the City of Vienna (1982) and the Vienna Honor Medal in Gold (1991). The golden honor for merit around the state of Vienna was also awarded in 2006.

A formative event in her later career took place in 2014 when she appeared in the dramatization "The last days of humanity" at the Salzburg Festival and in co -production with the Burgtheater. In 2014 she was also an honorary member of the Burgtheater and in 2015 after Annemarie Düringer's death. The multitude of awards not only reflects their acting talent, but also their commitment to social issues.

a lasting inheritance

In recent years, Elisabeth Orth has contributed to the publication series "Theater History of Austria", which deals with the country's comprehensive theater tradition. This series offers valuable insights into the development of the theater and the different cultural influences that have shaped Austria. Orth's work and their influence on the theater landscape will continue to be valued and recognized in the future.

Veronica Kaup-Hasler expressed their deepest condolences on behalf of the city of Vienna of the family and the friends of Elisabeth Orth. Her death leaves a large gap in the Austrian theater scene and it will be remembered as one of the most important representatives of the Vienna Theater School of the 20th century.