When the Center for the Arts scheduled world-renowned Fado singer Mariza for this spring, I admit, I had no idea what Fado music was. I enjoy world and folk music. I don't mind if I don't understand all the words of popular groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Deep Forest, or the Putomayo collections because, beat, tempo, and emotion are universal human experiences that extend beyond language. But Fado - that was not a familiar word or style. It did not take much searching to find abundant information on this genre which is extremely popular throughout Europe, as well as in Portugal's hottest tourist destinations.
Fado has endured since the style developed in the nineteenth century among the urban and working poor of Portugal, including sailors. Similar to the American blues and soul music, Fado emerged as a soulful lament of working conditions, loss of love, and an expression of grief, heartache and disappointment. Many believe the emerging Fado music was influenced by North African and Brazilian cultures colonized by imperial Portugal, and, like Tango, imported by immigrants into Portugal. Even the traditional Fado instrument, a tear-drop shaped guitar, evolved from an African and Afro-Brazilian lute.3
Fado became tied to politics, when under the dictatorship that lasted from 1934 to 1974, lyrics were controlled by the government and the genre was generally used to promote nationalism.2 Since fall of the regime, the music of such stars as Mariza has become a source of Portuguese pride, promoting Portuguese traditional culture to the world.
In Fado, directly translated as "fate", lyrics and tone consistently reference a sense of loss and longing or nostalgia. In Portuguese the word for this longing is "saudade", a word which is frequently heard in the lyrics.
The song in the video below, sung by Mariza, is titled "Chuva" or "Rain". The words describe a tremendous loss of love, crying out when it rained, and being reminded of the longing whenever it rains.
Modern Fado gave rise to stars like Amalia Rodrigues (1920-1999), who became such a national heroine of Portugal, that the country declared three days of mourning upon her death. Amalia performed in the traditional black dress associated with the genre, and was accompanied by the traditional guitar. Mariza continues the tradition, but usually adds contemporary design and accessories, and often enhances well-known ballads with percussion and cello.
Mariza releases highly-anticipated Terra, her fifth full-length album on January 29, in time for the February 25 concert at the Center for the Arts. English translations will be available in the performance programs. I have been won-over by Mariza's passion and the tear-jerking sense of longing in her voice in just the recordings. I expect this to be one moving concert.
Sources for more information:
1. Mariza Official Website
http://www.mariza.com/
2. Fado, the Portuguese Soul Music - International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/20/news/fado.php
3. National Geographic - Fado
Click here for link
4. Fado.com
http://www.fado.com/
5. World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/staticpages/index.php/fado
Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!
Posted by: write dissertation | January 21, 2009 at 05:08 AM
Thank you so much for the explanation about Fado. It was really interesting reading. and the music on the video is amazing! Loved it!!
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