Enchanting Czech composer, singer, and violinist Iva Bittová is famed for her powerhouse performances that fuse Old World and new-music sensibilities. In her original compositions as well as her arrangements of traditional pieces, plaintive violin interweaves with emotion-filled vocal lines, creating an avant-garde style infused with the spirit and language of Czech, Slovak, and Moravian folk music.

A prominent figure in her native country, Iva is probably best known for her performances of music by Czech opera composer Leos Janácek, and for her career as a film actress. Among many roles, she appeared in Želary, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards.

Iva started recording music in 1986, and by the 1990's her unique vocal and instrumental technique gained her international recognition. Since then, she has performed regularly all over Europe and the U.S., and has released numerous solo albums. She has also embarked on a number of intriguing collaborations, including a recent CD recorded with the New York new-music collective, Bang on a Can, titled Elida.