After more than 15 years away from the spotlight, a Schlager music icon is set to return to the stage – and will be joined by Peter Orloff, who expressed his excitement to our team.
Hamburg – Schlager legend Marion Maerz largely disappeared from public life in the early 2010s. “She had similarly withdrawn for health reasons at the time,” her daughter, Mascha Litterscheid, recently explained, “but she is doing better now.” Now, the once-beloved singer will indeed make a public appearance: the 82-year-old will receive an award at the Smago! Award 2026 in Schladming, Austria, on April 8th.
Marion Maerz last performed in Hamburg in 2010, and made a final public appearance at a musical premiere in 2011. She achieved her greatest successes in the 1960s and 1970s. Among her most well-known solo hits was “Er ist wieder da,” and she later recorded a duet with Bernd Clüver, a German version of “Stumblin’ In” called “Schau mal herein.” That song experienced a resurgence in 2025: Helene Fischer and Florian Silbereisen had a mega-hit with it in 2025.
Peter Orloff Looks Forward to Special Evening with Marion Maerz and Expects “Very Emotional Experience”
Peter Orloff, another Schlager legend, reworked the song for their version. He will accompany Marion Maerz on stage in Schladming – and perform the song himself. He announced this to HNA from Ippen.Media. “I will be delighted and honored to let the star of this wonderful artist shine brightly once again,” Orloff said. The two have known each other for around 50 years. Maerz “was already very successful before me as a founding star of ‘Hansa’ in Berlin,” Orloff added.
Schlager Legend Marion Maerz Returns to Stage – Even Though She Won’t Be Singing Herself
Marion Maerz will not be singing herself in Schladming, as her daughter recently explained. However, being back in the spotlight and receiving recognition for her life’s work will undoubtedly be meaningful for Marion Maerz. Peter Orloff also shared his excitement: “It will be a joy and an honor to let the star of this wonderful artist shine brightly once again.”
Orloff spoke of a “wonderful friendship that continues to this day. Marion has always been a favorite artist of mine, whose extraordinary and very emotional voice is a very special gift for an author and producer.” He visited Marion Maerz on her 82nd birthday in August.
Orloff recalls: “Her birthday and seeing her again after so many years was a very nice and special experience. We had the opportunity for in-depth conversations and were able to exchange many memories.” Marion Maerz’s daughter provided our team with a photo of Orloff’s visit. She lives “happily in Hamburg,” her daughter added, and will be traveling to Schladming with her mother for the event. Another Schlager legend continues to live a secluded life near Munich. (Sources: Quotes from Peter Orloff, quotes from Marion Maerz’s daughter Mascha Litterscheid, Smago, Archive)
