Markéta Irglová with the South Bohemian Philharmonic String Quintet

ABOUT THE CONCERT

Markéta Irglová is not only the recipient of a prestigious Oscar, a Grammy and many other music awards, but above all a distinctive songwriter and performer whose work can captivate audiences in major theatres across the United States, European capitals and the Czech Republic, leaving an unforgettable, almost metaphysical impression.

She lives and creates in Iceland, yet performs around the world as a solo artist and, until this July, also in a duo with Glen Hansard or as part of The Swell Season. Alongside songs released on four solo albums – Anar (2011), Muna (2014), Lila (2021) and Where You Belong (2024) – she writes music for film and theatre and makes her own music videos.

Her solo concerts offer delicate folk-inflected melodies as well as more powerful, structured works that can hold an audience spellbound. Her voice ranges from the angelic purity associated with Joni Mitchell's early albums to the rock intensity of Janis Joplin, often within the dynamics of a single song.

Markéta Irglová's songwriting style is unmistakable, compelling and original. It is deeply emotional and inspiring, evoking vivid images and feelings and leading listeners into another world full of light and colour. This strong visual and theatrical quality is also why filmmakers and theatre artists repeatedly approach her for collaboration.

She also works with imagery in a highly sophisticated way in her music videos, where light, colours, shadows, natural scenery and expressive dance play an important role.

Markéta Irglová appears on Czech stages only rarely because of her schedule. She therefore treasures performances for audiences at home, making her Czech concerts all the more intense. She chooses her venues carefully, preferring places with a unique atmosphere: sacred buildings, historic sites, castle gardens and theatres.

In recent years, Markéta has collaborated with the South Bohemian Philharmonic String Quintet. The ensemble enhances the subtlety of her songwriting while also giving it the thrilling power of a symphonic sound. The concert will feature mainly new songs from her solo work and The Swell Season's latest album Forward, as well as older music from the film Once and the debut album Swell Season, including the Oscar-winning Falling Slowly.

As the concert takes place during Advent, songs connected with Christmas will also be included. Musical surprises are possible, including songs shared with singer and actress ZEA, whose voice is among the most distinctive on the Czech and Slovak scene.

The concert at the Mahen Theatre promises to be as exceptional as Markéta Irglová's position on the Czech and international music scene.

ZEA

ZEA (Alžběta Ferencová) grew up in Prešov and studied at the Pedagogical and Social Academy. In 2010 she took part in Miss Universe Slovakia and later worked as a model. In 2022–2023 she successfully portrayed the leading character in the TV JOJ series Iveta, directed by Jan Hřebejk. She comes from a Roma family; her great-grandmother was Elena Lacková, the first Roma woman writer in Slovakia. She lives in Prague.

Her music moves between R&B and pop. She released her debut album Burning Light in 2020, followed by the critically and publicly acclaimed Where Do We Go When the Silence Comes.

PERFORMERS

Markéta Irglová
South Bohemian Philharmonic String Quintet