Hailing from the Czech Republic, Iva Bittová is one of Europe’s most innovative and celebrated artists. She began her career as an actor in the mid-1970s, appearing in several Czech and Slovak feature films.

Born to famed Roma violinist Bittó Kálmán, she began playing violin and singing at a very early age. By 1990, her distinctive vocal and instrumental technique had earned her international acclaim, leading to nearly 20 album releases and performances across Europe, Australia, Asia, and the United States—including two appearances at The Luckman. Despite her musical prominence, she has continued to act, with notable roles including the critically acclaimed Želary, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards®.

This special episode, filmed on her scenic Hudson Valley property in New York, features a captivating collaboration with musician and composer Antonín Fajt, offering an intimate glimpse into Bittová’s ever-evolving artistry.