Magdalena Kožená

Mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, or Lady Rattle if you are so inclined, became a popular and critically celebrated figure in Europe before the age of 30. Her area of primary expertise is 18th century music, particularly Bach, but she has also had success in more Romantic opera and song repertory. Kožená's voice has been variously described as "sweet" and "fiery and melting," depending on her repertory; more constant are her vocal agility and sense of drama, which have become highly regarded. In 1997, Kožená made her recording debut with an album of Bach Arias. In 2004, she was named the Gramophone Awards "Artist of the Year." In 2009, Kožená's recording of Julietta fragments by Martinu won a Gramophone Award. Her 2023-2024 season included numerous recitals, concerts, and operatic appearances, and she issued the album Folk Songs in 2023, followed by a recording of Handel's Alcina in 2024.