The Fado

The Fado is a defining cultural aspect of Portugal.  Meaning “Fate”, the Fado is a style of musical expression conveying sorrow and drama.  Although Fado in its current form is only about 200 years old, the style itself dates back to the 16th century, when Portugal’s status as a nation of explorers began.  As it’s men went to sea, sometimes for years at a time, so those left behind suffered suadade – a combination of sadness, nostalgia and fear of how fate will treat those away from home.  But suadade is also more than that.  It is a nostalgic yearning for that which may have been, had fate not intervened.  It is the music of pessimism and loss.        Amalia Rodrigues

 
This combination of sadness and longing is evident in the music’s emotional power and drama.  Fado is a large part of Lisbon’s street life, with cafes and bars having been the centre of the culture for the last 150 years.  Sung as often by women as by men, the Fado is always accompanied by the traditional Portuguese Guitarra.  The Guitarra is a flat backed instrument, shaped like a mandolin, with strings arranged in paris of four, five or six.  The Guitarra is often beautifully decorated, inlaid with mother of pearl and precious woods. 

 
There are two distinct types of Fado.  Fado from Lisbon, is intense and traditional.  Fado from Coimbra, has a more developed, and lighter style.

 
Fado Houses can be found all over Lisbon and are often owned by the Fadistas (female Fado singers) themselves.  One of the most famous, and most authentic is the Parreirinha de Alfama, owned by Argentina Santos, a highly respected Lisbon fadista. 

 
One of the most famous fadistas, credited with establishing Fado around the world, was Amalia Rodrigues, which died in 1999.  She is cultural icon to the Portuguese and was the leading exponent of Fado following the second world war.  Today, Mariza, carries on the legacy of Amalia Rodrigues.  With her distinctive Fado style, Mariza has become an internationally recognised artist, touring across Europe and the USA.  In her, the Fado tradition lives on, and is once again, gaining worldwide recognition.

 
For an introduction to Fado, try “The Best of Fado; Um Tesouro Portugues”, a collection of some of the most famous works by Fados’ greatest singers.

 
For a collection of the work of Amalia Rodrigues, try “The art of Amalia” and for the work of Mariza, try her new CD, Transparente.  All these are available online, from www.amazon.com