Originally, Margarete Bence concentrated on recitals and oratorio, but eventually started a stage career. In 1956, she joined the ensemble of the Württembergische Staatsoper, Stuttgart where she remained a member until 1970. Subsequently she appeared at the Bayreuther Festspiele (1962/63 as Erda and Waltraute) and made guest appearances in Berlin, Paris, Rome, Rio di Janeiro, Bukarest, San Francisco and at the Salzburger Festspiele. In 1966, she ceated the role of Panthea in Hermann Reutter's "Der Tod des Empedokles" at Schwetzingen. She was especially acclaimed as a Bach singer.