Czech soprano Magdalena Kozena, whose affair with former City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conductor Sir Simon Rattle scandalised the classical music world, has been named artist of the year at the industry's answer to the Oscars. The 31-year-old opera singer won the accolade at the Gramophone Awards. It came in the same week she was reported to be three months pregnant by Sir Simon, who is 18 years her senior. The Liverpool-born conductor, now artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, announced in July that he had left his wife to set up home with the striking blonde mezzo-soprano. Kozena was also married but the pair became close after working together at Glyndebourne in June last year. Her award was voted by readers of Gramophone magazine and its editor, James Jolly, said: "Magdalena Kozena has a wonderfully inquisitive approach to music and her programming demonstrates that she won't compromise or accept the everyday - and her public follow her loyally. "Her disc of 20th century songs from earlier this year, on which she performs in five different languages, is a perfect example of her imagination and courage." Organisers of the awards, now in their 27th year, boosted publicity by enlisting six celebrities to promote the record of the year category. Natasha Kaplinsky, Simon Callow, John Simpson, Michael Portillo, Joanna Lumley and James Cracknell each championed one finalist. The winner was The Marriage Of Figaro, conducted by Rene Jacobs and championed by Absolutely Fabulous star Lumley. In an unusual move, the lifetime achievement award was given not to an artist but to the London Symphony Orchestra. Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel won the listener's choice award, voted by Classic FM listeners. | 
