Janowitz's farewell to the operatic stage was on 18 May 1990, at the Vienna State Opera in the title role of "Ariadne auf Naxos" (with Heinrich Hollreiser as conductor, and as director and designer). She kept singing "Lieder" recitals until 1997, when she completely retired from performing. As well as being an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera and of the Academy of Music in Graz, she was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2000.