“I lived in a traditional town near Lisbon and I always sang fado – I know what fado is and I understand myself through this music.” – Mariza

Fado (Portuguese: “fate”) is a musical genre which is believed to have appeared in Lisbon in the XIX century, but apparently has much earlier origins. It is characterized by melancholic melodies and sorrowful lyrics, very often about the sea, about the glorious maritime history or poor life. The music is usually closely linked to the Portuguese word saudade that describes a “longing for something” or a “strong desire for something.” Other voices claim that the origins of fado are a mixture of African slave rhythms and traditional Portuguese music, with a slight Arabic influence.

Modern fado is popular in Portugal and has produced many famous artists. Currently the most popular fado interpreter is Mariza.

Mariza is Mozambican, but most influencial on her development was the place she grew up in – Mouraria, the old neighborhood in Lisbon. It was there she first heard fado. There were so many musicians in the area that she no longer remembers their names or faces, but the fragments that she does rememeber still live through her songs. Therefore, the tribute brought to some musicians like Fernando Maurício, Carlos do Carmo and Amalia Rodrigues in “Transparente” is no surprise. Beyond experimenting with various forms of rhythm, Mariza has always remained committed to fado music.
Her first album – “Fado em Mim” was launched in 2001, won four times platinum in Portugal, propelled her on the international scene and determined the specialized press to write that “a star is born.” A year later, at the Quebec Summer Festival, she received the award for best concert and in 2003, the title of best European World Music artist, awarded by BBC radio was given to Mariza.
The emergence of her second album, “Fado curvo” (title suggesting that fado is just like fate – not a straight line, but one full of detours, an unfettered expression of no limits), confirmed expectations. The album was given the German music critics award, has reached number 6 in the Billboard chart; just like the first, conquered four times platinum in Portugal. The most significant figure is probably that of sales: Mariza managed to sell six times more records than any other contemporary fado artist.

Her concerts at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Alter Oper in Frankfurt, Lisbon Belém Cultural Centre and Théâtre de la Ville in Paris were held with a full house. Portuguese Foreign Journalists Association voted her Personality of the Year 2004 for excellence in spreading Portuguese culture in the form that characterizes it most: fado.

In 2004 she was awarded the European Border Breakers Award and was invited to sing a song off of the official Olympic Games album – “A Thousand Years” – with Sting.
Mariza’s album, “Transparente” (2005), was edited in over 35 countries in Europe, Latin America and the United States. The album was “number one” in Portugal, has won the leading positions in charts from Finland, Iceland and the Netherlands, and in Portugal, France, Spain, Finland and Britain her album was sold in record time; producers had to reprint the album. Denmark chose Mariza as international ambassador of the work and spirit of Hans Christian Andersen. She received the grand prize of the Amália Rodrigues Foundation and was nominted as Portugal’s UNICEF national ambassador. Also, she was honored with the prestigious Comenda da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique from the President of Portugal.

In late 2007, “Concerto em Lisboa”CD and DVD are released, with recordings of a concert in 2005 at Torre de Belém (Lisbon), concert held in front of over 30,000 people. Mariza becomes the first Portuguese artist ever nominated for best music awards in the world – Grammy.

She plays in the movie “Fados” by Carlos Saura, and has finished recording a new album in 2008. Her concert at PLAI Festival, on September 13, 2008, was, in fact, the first concert of the tour promoting the album and was followed by the three (!) concerts in Paris, at Festival Ile de France.

Discography:
2001 – Fado em Mim
2003 – Fado Curvo
2004 – Live in London
2005 – Transparente
2007 – Concerto em Lisboa
2008 – Terra

Web Resources:
Mariza.com
World Connection