Fado is a musical genre that emerged in Portugal in the 19th century. It is an exciting musical style that invokes feelings of longing and nostalgia and moves the listener. Fado reflects the culture and history of Portugal. Due to its relevance, UNESCO classified it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.
In this article, we explore everything related to fado: what it is, its history, how to listen to Portuguese fado, and who the most famous Portuguese fado singers are.
What is fado?
Fado is a traditional musical genre from Portugal. It is sung by a man or woman (the fado singer) accompanied by the Portuguese guitar and the classical guitar (acoustic guitar). Sometimes, other instruments, like the bass, are used.
The songs have a melancholic and very sentimental melody. The lyrics express anguish, longing, love, and disappointment. Each fado singer gives their interpretation of the lyrics, and the music is heartfelt and personal. The fado singer can change the lyrics, improvise with the beats, and include dramatic effects, such as tapping the foot and prolonging and ornamenting certain notes or syllables. All of this is known as “styling,” which is the act of embellishing and personalizing the music.
In addition to the fado singer, the guitarist is equally important. It is fundamental in fado, and the connection between the fado singer and the guitarist must be close. The guitarist should be sensitive to the nuances of vocal interpretation, responding and adjusting his performance to support the singer.
However, there are different types of fado, with Lisbon fado being the best-known and also the most melancholic. Below, we will describe some of the most relevant.
In addition to the music genre, “fado” also means destiny in Portuguese, reflecting the idea that the future is already defined as the fate of the future. This feeling is often reflected in music.
Fado history
Portuguese fado originated in Lisbon in the 19th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese monarchy from Brazil after a period of migration. At that time, fado was a dance with Afro-Brazilian origins, brought from Brazil. Over time, the concept of fado evolved into a song, losing its connection with dance.
Fado was also associated with the low social status of the working population. It was sung in taverns in poor neighborhoods such as Alcântara, Madragoa, Bica, Bairro Alto, Mouraria, and Alfama. It was linked to bohemia and taverns, as well as a means of escape and a vehicle for satire.
Later, it began to be sung in fado houses, spaces specifically designed for singing and listening to fado. In 1920, fado became professional. At the same time, fado also began to develop in student academic circles in Coimbra, with the Coimbra student fado emerging.
Fado became internationally known with Amália Rodrigues in the second half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, after the Carnation Revolution on the 25th of April of 1974, many Portuguese people and artists distanced themselves from fado due to the dictatorship’s associations with it. It was said to be used in political campaigning.
However, due to the efforts of fado singers like Carlos do Carmo, fado became increasingly popular again. Today, several modern fado singers such as Mariza, Ana Moura, Carminho, and Camané have revitalized the musical genre.
This resurgence culminated with recognition by UNESCO, which was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and recognized its cultural and historical importance in 2011.
Different styles of Fado
As we mentioned before, there are different fado styles. The most popular and internationally known is Fado de Lisboa, which is also the most traditional.
The types of fado are:
- Fado de Lisboa: This traditional and classic fado originated in Lisbon. It has a distinct and well-defined melody that is easy to follow and recognize. The fado singer can also style the music and improvise however he wants, whether in ornaments or tempos. It is characterized by melancholic and emotional themes that address longing, love, and death.
- Fado de Coimbra: It is a fado sung by students at the University of Coimbra, where it was created. It is less fatalistic and emotional, addressing issues of academic life, love themes, and serenades.
- Fado Corrido: It is a faster and more lively fado. The lyrics are lighter and more humorous. It is usually accompanied by acoustic guitar, bass, viola, and Portuguese guitar.
- Fado Menor: It is characterized by a minor tonality, using a minor scale. The music is more melancholic, introspective and sad.
- Fado Maior: This type of fado uses tones from a major scale. Although the songs remain melancholic, they are more optimistic.
- Fado vadio: Known as amateur fado, it is sung by non-professional fado singers in informal environments such as bars and taverns. It is characterized by more spontaneous lyrics and simple musical accompaniment. Many well-known artists started with fado vadio.
- Fado Canção: It is a style that mixes fado with other musical genres. It combines elements of traditional fado with influences from popular music and light songs. It is also often called “Fado Musicado”.
Remember that fado is not a science. It is a remarkably diverse musical genre with many styles based on fado music and its spontaneity. Furthermore, fado has evolved over time and diversified into different styles. Every day, new fado singers introduce new aspects and incorporate fado into other musical genres.
Famous fado singers
Talking about fado and not mentioning Amália Rodrigues is sacrilege. Amália Rodrigues is the queen of fado. Thanks to her, fado became known internationally. Born in 1920, she began to gain fame in 1939 and sang until her death in 1999. She is recognized for having a wonderful voice, having performed in several international shows, participating in several films, and receiving many awards and honors throughout her career. She is one of the greatest artists in Portugal.
Among the famous fado singers of the past, Carlos do Carmo, Alfredo Marceneiro, Berta Cardoso, and Fernando Farinha also stand out. Regarding current fado singers, we have Mariza, who is probably the most famous active fado singer, in addition to Camané, Ana Moura, Carminho, and António Zambujo.
It is also important to mention the guitarist and composer Carlos Paredes, who, despite not being a fado singer, contributed significantly to fado and the music of Portugal. He developed new techniques and a unique style of playing the Portuguese guitar, introducing instrumental fado, in which the Portuguese guitar is the protagonist.
Where to listen to fado in Portugal
If you are visiting Portugal, we recommend listening to Fado in Lisbon and Coimbra. However, there are also some options in Porto, mainly due to increased tourism. Outside these cities, fado is not traditional; there are practically no fado houses.
However, with the growing popularity of fado, fado houses began to appear in other parts of the country. However, traditional fado culture is not strong.
Where to listen to Fado in Lisbon?
Furthermore, with the advent of famous and beloved fado singers, large fado concerts spread across the country throughout the year, especially in the summer. You can check out the artistic program of your favorite fado singer and check out the shows that will be held, some of which are even international.
Lisbon is the city where Fado originated, so it is the ideal place to listen to it. The best places to listen to fado are in traditional neighborhoods, such as Bairro Alto, Mouraria, and Alfama. In these neighborhoods, there are several traditional fado houses. Some of the best are:
- Mesa de Frades: Located in Alfama, this beautiful restaurant is in an old chapel of Palácio D. Rosa. This fado house features renowned fado singers such as Teresinha Landeiro, Carminho, Gisela João, and the current best fado guitarist Pedro Souto de Castro. Reservations are required.
- Fado Club: It is a fado house in Alfama. You don’t pay for the fado show but for the drinks and food. You must book via the website.
- Café Luso: It is one of Lisbon’s most famous fado houses. It is located in Bairro Alto and is frequented by renowned artists. You must book via the website.
- Sr. Vinho: The fado house Sr. Vinho was created by Maria da Fé in 1975. It stands out for its fado singers, having already hosted many renowned artists. It has a cast of resident fado singers, established names, and emerging talents. It is located in the Lapa neighborhood, and reservations are required.
- Tasca do Chico: It is famous for its Fado Vadio performances, with an informal, tavern-like atmosphere. Tables are shared. Tourists and locals frequent it, and anyone can sing, so you will find both more experienced and less experienced fado singers. They don’t take reservations, so there may be queues.
- Tasca da Bela: It is more traditional and local, and it is also located in Alfama, with good fado where fado singer Hélder Moutinho (brother of fado singer Camané) and fado singer Raquel Tavares sometimes perform. There are fados from Wednesday to Sunday, and booking is recommended.
- If you prefer a Fado show instead of going to a traditional restaurant, that’s also possible. “Fado in Chiado” is a 15-year-old and very successful show. The prices are also quite reasonable. See more information and book here.
Where to listen to fado in Coimbra
As already mentioned above, Coimbra fado is an academic fado associated with the university and students. Unlike Lisbon, where fado was traditionally sung in fado houses, fado in Coimbra is more focused on serenades, being a street fado.
Therefore, the best way to hear Coimbra’s fado is during the academic celebrations that take place in the month of May. During this week, the Monumental Serenade takes place, where fado groups from Coimbra sing on the steps of the Sé Velha.
Students must wear their capes during the show, while the public must remain silent and not applaud. Furthermore, there are the Street Serenades, where the troubadour sings under his beloved’s window as proof of affection, keeping the cover equally drawn. The young woman reciprocates by turning the light on and off three times.
If you cannot be present during the academic week, there are some cafes and restaurants where fado shows are held:
- Fado ao Centro is a fado house located in the city’s historic center. Its shows are every day at 6 p.m. The house seeks to recreate an authentic experience and academic traditions of fado. You can book tickets here.
- ÀCapella: It is located in an old chapel. Daily, at 9:30 p.m., it hosts a show/serenade of Fado, Song, and Guitar from Coimbra.
- Café Santa Cruz: Iconic and historic café in the center of Coimbra. There are shows every day, except for Sunday, at 6 pm and 10 pm. It also offers a very good convent sweet, Crúzio.
Where to listen to Fado in Porto?
If you are unable to go to Lisbon or Coimbra to listen to fado, there are several options in Porto:
- Casa da Mariquinhas – This is the oldest fado house in Porto. The fado show occurs during dinner, with several performances lasting approximately 15 minutes each. The menu includes traditional Portuguese dishes. The minimum consumption is 45 Euros per person, and reservations must be made beforehand.
- Casa do Fado: Intimate Fado show where you can drink a Port while relaxing and enjoying the show. It has three different places: in Sé, Ribeira, and São João Novo. You can book your ticket here.
- Casa da Guitarra: This is a musical show in an old musical instrument store in the center of Porto. You can reserve tickets.
How to choose a fado house
Above, we have already indicated some recommended places to listen to Fado. However, when choosing a place to listen to Fado, it is important to remember that the main focus should be on the show and not the food itself. Of course, if the food is of good quality, that’s a bonus. Another consideration is the possibility of watching a good fado show with a good atmosphere and quality performers.
Here are some tips to remember for choosing a fado house:
- Understand what kind of show you want to watch. If you want a more traditional fado and intimate atmosphere, choose a more formal fado house with fewer tavern characteristics. If you prefer something more informal and cheap, opt for a place where fado vadio is played, which generally has a casual atmosphere. However, fado’s quality can vary, depending on luck.
- Going to a good fado house will cost at least €50 per person, and you must make a reservation. If it’s just for a show, it’s much less. Normally between 15 and 20 Euros.
- As a rule, Portugal’s most famous fado singers do not sing in fado houses. If you want to hear them sing, you must attend a concert.
- Check the fado house’s schedule, as each one offers shows at different times, and try to understand the show’s duration.
We hope we have piqued your curiosity about fado. If you want to better explore the world of fado, we recommend that you go to the Fado Museum in Lisbon, located in the Alfama neighborhood, and closed on Mondays. It offers an immersive experience about the history and evolution of this musical style.
Thanks to Juliana Cruz for her recommendations for fado houses in Lisbon.
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