Maria Weiss

Maria Weiss

About me

Maria Weiss is a film actress and opera singer specialising in period drama, arthouse cinema and complex female characters of past centuries. She is particularly drawn to roles in which acting, movement and music merge into a single organic form of expression – ranging from early Baroque worlds of the 17th century to the early 20th century.

Her work is characterised by in-depth character research and a physically and emotionally driven approach. She trained in Method Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York and studied Cultural Studies at the Sorbonne in Paris (Diplôme de langue et civilisation française).

As a classically trained opera singer specialising in early and Baroque music – trained at the Conservatorio Statale Luigi Cherubini in Florence and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Bachelor of Arts degree) – she regularly integrates her musical expertise into her screen work, most recently in The Blood Countess (2026, dir. Ulrike Ottinger) and Untitled (Glawogger / Willi), where she appears as the solo voice of the film score (composer: Wolfgang Mitterer).

She works fluently in German, English, French, Italian and Spanish in European and international film productions and as a singer in international opera productions.

Information

Place of birth
Kärnten
Height (cm)
172
Eye color
blue
Hair color
strawberry blond(e)
Hair length
Medium
Place of residence
Wien (AT)
Housing options
Rome (IT), Florence (IT), Palermo (IT), Paris (FR), Avignon (FR), Le Mans (FR), Berlin (DE), London (GB), Barcelona (ES)
Nationality
Austrian
Languages
German(native)EnglishFrenchItalianSpanishLatinSardinianScots
Dialects
VienneseAustrian(native dialect)Carinthian(native dialect)
Accents
AustrianEnglishFrenchItalian
Instruments
PianoCastanetsHarpsichordOrganRecorder
Sport
Fencing (stage)Horse ridingAlpine skiingArtistic gymnasticsBalletGymnasticsIce skatingKarateShow jumpingSwimmingSword fighting
Dance
BalletConcert danceCourtly dancesFlamencoHistorical danceMinuetMusical theater
Main profession
Actor
Specializations
Operetta actor, Opera singer, Singer, Speaker
Singing
A cappellaBel cantoChamber musicChansonClassicEarly musicOperaOpera singingOperettaSongYodellingImprovisationMusicalSprechgesangfolk song
Special skills
HunterConducting (music)
Pitch
Alto, Mezzo-soprano
Driver's licenses
B - Car
Blutgräfin (Cinema film. 2026) 'Dame im Rokkokokostüm (SUP)'
Director: Ulrike Ottinger Producer: Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu | Bady Minck Distribution: Netflix Written by: Ulrike Ottinger, Elfriede Jelinek
Drei Tage mit Schubert (Cinema film. 2026) 'The Miller’s Daughter / Luise Hensel (dual role) (LR)'
Director: Astrid Bscher Producer: Filmfritz GmbH Written by: Astrid Bscher

Credits

Primary professional training

2011
Lee Strasberg (Los Angeles/New York)

Other professional training

Prof. Glenys Linos (Royal Academy of Music, London)
University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Austria) | Voice / Opera
Conservatorio Statale Luigi Cherubini (Florence, Italy) | Voice / Opera
Fondazione Benetton (Italy) | Dame Emma Kirkby - Masterclass (Early Music & Baroque Vocal Performance)
MasterClass Association (USA), Acting - Helena Mirren
The Living Theatre (New York, USA) | Workshop Judith Malina
Historical Fencing
Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris / France) | Cultural Studies
Historical Dance Training MUK (Vienna, Austria) – Margit Legler
ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival (Vienna, Austria) | Ballett - Libby Farr
Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas (Granada, Spain), Flamenco – Ana Pozo de Córdoba; Fátima Martínez Sánchez

Awards

Radio Klassik “CD of the Day” Award (Opera)
Ö1 Pasticcio Award (Opera)
Radio Klassik “CD of the Day” Award (Opera)

Film

Les Lumières - L'Oscuro (in production) (Cinema film) In development
Leading Role Producer: 1607 Records
Blutgräfin (Cinema film)
Dame im Rokkokokostüm (SUP) Ulrike Ottinger Producer: Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu | Bady Minck Distribution: Netflix Written by: Ulrike Ottinger, Elfriede Jelinek
Drei Tage mit Schubert (Cinema film)
The Miller’s Daughter / Luise Hensel (dual role) (LR) Astrid Bscher Producer: Filmfritz GmbH Written by: Astrid Bscher
Maria Magdalena (Short film)
Maria Magdalena (LR) Maria Weiss Producer: Cinetop Film, 1607 Records
Proserpine and the others / Proserpina e le Altre (Documentary feature film)
Mariangela Barbanente, Francesco Masi Producer: GA&A Productions
La Tortorella (Short film)
Countess (LR) Maria Weiss Producer: Cinetop Film | 1607 Records
Einsamkeit (Short film)
Clara (LR) Maria Weiss Producer: Cinetop Film / 1607 Records
early music bird. early new music (Short film)
Singer / Mezzosoprano (LR) Carmen & Ingo Photography / Maria Weiss Distribution: 1607 Records
Foy Porter (Short film)
Time-travelling woman (LR) Esther Jo Steiner Producer: Cinetop Film
Untitled
Singer / Mezzosoprano Michael Glawogger, Monika Willi Producer: Lotus-Film
Qui d'amor (Short film)
Leading Role silent tapes Producer: Favola in Musica
Spanien
Supporting Role Anja Salomonowitz Casting Director: Eva Roth
Antoine war nie in Wien
Frau Sebastian Mayr
Unseen
Elizabeth (lead) Phil Moran
Jud Süß – Film ohne Gewissen (Cinema film)
Mondäne Dame (OTH) Oskar Roehler Producer: Franz Novotny, Markus Zimmer
Anziehungen
Frau (lead) Ronald Unterberger
Stay (Music video)
Leading Role Jakob M. Kubizek | Thomas Woschitz Producer: Amour Fou

Television

Der große Knall - Österreich - Die ganze Geschichte (Documentary fiction)
Karoline von Perin Gradenstein (ELR) Christian Papke Station: ORF
Tod in Tirol (TV movie)
ADR Voice Artist & Narrator (OTH) Mirjam Unger Producer: ORF, ZDF, KGP Filmproduktion Station: Sender/Verleih: ZDF

Theater

G. F. Händel, Atalanta, HWV 35 (1736) (Opera)
Irene (LR) van Rensburg Theater: Händel Festspiele Halle
R. Keiser, Der geliebte Adonis (1697) (Opera)
Adonis (LR) Kloibmüller Theater: Donaufestwochen
W. A. Mozart, Die verstellte Gärtnerin / La finta giardiniera, KV 196 (1775 ) (Opera)
Don Ramiro (LR) Konwitschny Theater: Theater an der Rott
W. Rihm, Jakob Lenz (Opera)
Stimme (SUP) Frank Castorf Producer: Wiener Festwochen Theater: Wiener Festwochen, Halle E im MuseumsQuartier Wien
F. Gasparini , L’oracolo del Fato (Barcelona, ca. 1709 und Wien, 1719) (Opera)
Aurora (LR) Sigrid T'Hooft
S. Durón, El imposible mayor en amor le vence Amor (1710)
Júpiter (LR) Kloibmüller Producer: Donaufestwochen Theater: Donaufestwochen
S. Durón, La guerra de los gitantes (ca. 1701) (Opera)
Palante (LR) Rogério Gonçalves Theater: Les Gouts Reunis, Lausanne, Schweiz
Mozart Camargo Guarnieri, Pedro Malazarte (1932)
Baiana (LR) Philippe Arlaud Producer: Feldkirch Festival Theater: Montforthaus, Feldkirch
S. Durón, La Guerra de los Gigantes (1702) (Opera)
Palante, La Fama (LR) Kloibmüller Theater: Donaufestwochen
G. F. Händel, Alcina, HWV 34 (London 1735)
Bradamante (LR) Schneider, Pölzgutter Theater: Teatru Manoel, Valletta (Malta)
C. W. Gluck, / Le Cinesi, GluckWV 1.17 (1754) (Opera)
Lisinga (LR) Atzenhofer Theater: Montafoner Sommer
A. Vivaldi, L'Olimpiade, RV 725 (1734) (Opera)
Megacle (LR) Atzenhofer Theater: Donaufestwochen
G. F. Händel, Ottone, Re di Germania, HWV 15 (1723) (Opera)
Gismonda (LR) Atzenhofer Producer: Donaufestwochen im Strudengau Theater: Donaufestwochen

Audio

Blutgräfin
AUDIO / VOCAL DESIGN Special Vocal Effects for Isabelle Huppert Ulrike Ottinger Producer: Amour Fou Vienna | Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu | Bady Minck Distribution: Netflix
Blutgräfin
AUDIO / DIALOG / LAYOUT Dialogue Layout Voice for Isabelle Huppert (DE) Ulrike Ottiner Producer: Amour Fou Vienna | Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu | Bady Minck Distribution: Netflix
Tod in Tirol
ADR Voice Artist & Narrator Mirjam Unger Producer: ORF, KGP, ZDF Station: ZDF

Other

LIFE BALL – Live Performance, Life Ball Vienna – Opening Performance
Nike – Goddess of Victory (lead performer) (LR) Gery Keszler (Creative Director)
STYLE BIBLE (Print / Art Project)
Nike – Goddess of Victory (LR) Gery Keszler (Creative Director)

Commercial

Schlumberger – Christmas Campaign
Biedermeier Noblewoman (LR) Daniel Stock (Creative Dir.) Director Andrea Jost (Artistic Dir.) Producer: The First Cut Is The Deepest (TFCITD)
Wien Energie
Iconic 1960s Socialite (LR) Andreas Hutter
A1 – Alpine Heritage Campaign
Alpine Milkmaid / Sennerin Sebastian Pfaffenpichler
Vöslauer (Commercial)
Classical Opera Performer (on-screen), featured cast alongside Anna Netrebko (SUP) Quadmo Quintero
Austrian Airlines
Emotional Lead Passenger Quadmo Quintero