Marianne and Michael
They say goodbye with an Oktoberfest concert
Marianne and Michael sang their hits again.
© imago images/Lindenthaler / B. Lindenthaler
The music duo Marianne and Michael said they gave their last concert at the Munich Oktoberfest on Sunday.
Marianne Hartl (71) and husband Michael Hartl (75) have this Sunday (September 29th) celebrated their farewell from the public stage at the “Wiesn Platzkonzert 2024”. “Standing under Bavaria today, in front of a wonderful local Munich audience and of course in front of many guests, and really giving our last concert, is an accolade for me as a Munich child,” said Marianne Hartl. “It’s just indescribably beautiful. I’m grateful for the life with my husband for half a century.”
The career of the duo Marianne and Michael is firmly linked to the Bavarian capital: the couple met in 1973 at a performance in Munich’s “Platzl” and started a career together. They married in 1979 and had two sons. The family appeared in full to say goodbye, “my boys, my daughters-in-law and our four grandchildren,” said Marianne Hartl on the stage on the Theresienwiese. “I am so grateful and happy about this wonderful career we have had. And it will be difficult for me to sing for the last time today,” she said, visibly moved. “We say thank you for the loyalty of our fans.” Afterwards, the duo performed a medley of their hits with the Oktoberfest band, including “When does d’Musi finally begin?” At the end there was also the Bavarian anthem.
“Time together is precious”
The folk music duo, which has been on stage together for around 50 years, announced on the “NDR Talkshow” in autumn 2022 that they wanted to withdraw from the public. After the final performances, the two want to enjoy life. Also in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper At the end of 2023, Marianne revealed how much she and her husband were looking forward to the time after the final tour. “We want to live! I’ll be 71, Michael 75. Lots of friends and colleagues are dying around us,” the singer said at the time. “We no longer want to sacrifice our golden years for our careers.”
After Michael Hartl’s stroke in March 2022, they realized “how quickly it can happen and how valuable the time together is.” The last official appearance took place in April. In mid-August they announced the Oktoberfest appearance and Marianne Hartl said the “Bild” newspaper: “This is an accolade and a great honor. But it will definitely be our last public concert.”