Fado music – Portugal
Fado music is a form of Portuguese singing that is often associated with pubs, cafés, and restaurants. This music genre officially originated in Portugal around the 1820s, though it is thought to have much earlier origins. Fado is known for how expressive and profoundly melancholic it is. In fado music, the musician will sing about the hard realities of daily life, balancing both resignation and hopefulness that a resolution to its torments can still occur. It can be described by using the Portuguese word “saudade,” which means “longing” and stands for a feeling of loss. This loss is generally permanent and of long-term consequence. Fado music often has one or two 12 string guitars, one or two violas, and sometimes a small 8 string bass.
Lisbon fado is the more well-known of the two styles. This style has roots in social contexts that are set in marginality and transgression. It was frequently found in locations of sailors and prostitutes. In the early 1900s, it found a popular following that would continue today. It came across some difficult times in 1926, when censorship caused major changes to urban entertainment and placing hefty requirements on any shows and venues. Thanks to the popularity of the radio, fado found its place in homes across Portugal. In the 1990s, it soon found its place in the World Music circuits.
Coimbra fado has ties to the academic traditions of the University of Coimbra. The singers and other musicians will wear the tradition academic wardrobe that consists of dark robes, capes, and leggings. They will sing at night time on the streets or in the city square. While Lisbon often appealed to those in the working-class fields, Coimbra appeals to the more privileged classes.
There are a few other differences between Lisbon and Coimbra, aside from the group of people the music appeals to. Lisbon-style can be sung by anyone regardless of gender, while Coimbra-style is only sung by males. Coimbra-style generally is about finding hope in the everyday hardships that people live through. In contrast, Lisbon-style would suggest surrender when being faced with those hardships. Lisbon-style often features improvisation during performances, whereas Coimbra-style is constantly rehearsed before performances.
The fado genre was brought to the music world mainstream by Rainha do Fado (Queen of Fado) Amalia Rodrigues (July 23, 1920 – October 6, 1999). Known as Amalia throughout the world, she became one of the most important personalities for the genre and the main inspiration for contemporary and modern fado. Amalia had a personality, charisma, extraordinary timbre of voice, and beauty that made her an acclaimed artist whose services were requested by Monarchs and Presidents. By the time of her death, Amalia had received over 40 decorations and honors for her music, stage presence, and philanthropy including the Legion d’Honneur by the French government. She was given a state funeral and her remains are in Lisbon’s National Pantheon (the only woman to have the honor). Amalia single-handedly placed fado on the world map.
Since the early 21st century and the influence of Amalia Rodrigues, there is newfound popularity in this type of music. Modern fado has incorporated new instruments including piano, violin, accordion. They have also begun combining fado with other popular genres. Some current artists of this genre include Madredeus, Ana Moura, Dulce Pontes, and Mariza. Mariza, in particular, is highly popular, winning numerous awards in the World Music category and has been featured in the David Letterman show.
In Lisbon two of the most popular Fado Restaurants (Casas do Fado) we recommend include:
Casa de Linhars
Food: Portuguese with some French influence
Decoration: Manor House
O Faia
Food: Traditional Portuguese
Decoration: Classic theme
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I love Portuguese
W hat is the word that expresses the innate psyche of the portuguese state of mind dealing with the somewhat hopeless human existence ? This was expressed by writers, singers, and some in general society….?????? A lot of the old writers dove into this syndrome..
Saudade?
saudade
sau-da-duh
Dear sir,
I am intrigued by the words of a fado song that I have heard, recorded by Germano Rocha. It is called ‘Os Meus Olhos’. The words are as follows:
“Os teus olhos não são teus,
são duas ave Maria do rosário da amargura, que eu rezo todos os dias.
Os teus olhos não são teus, desde o dia que te vi.
Os teus olhos são os meus, que os meus cegaram por ti.”
I hope it isn’t impertinent but I would be most grateful if it is possible if you could direct me to a good and meaningful translation of these lyrics into english, or to somebody who could do this. I have studied the Portuguese language a little but this is very difficult to make sense of for me. The last line is particularly dramatic : ‘Os teus olhos são os meus, que os meus cegaram por ti.’. Is this a romantic song or is there some religious significance here?
Sorry if this is inappropriate but I can’t find any information on the web that explains this song to myself as an English person.
Hope you can help but, if not, I wish you well, and all the best to Portuguese people and hope that you benefit from your continued membership of the EU. I wish we in Britain had stayed in the EU with you and I hope we don’t regret our decision to leave (although I have not read or heard anything that gives me any reason be optimistic about the consequences of our decision)
Muitas felicidades,
Robert Done
Dear Mr. Done,
My version of the stanza you ask about:
Your eyes are not yours,
They are two Hail Marys on the rosary of bitterness that I pray each day.
Your eyes are not yours,
Ever since I laid eyes on you,
Your eyes are mine, since mine were blinded by you
Catholic religious imagery is used in a romantic context here–the flip side of using romantic/sensual imagery in religious devotional poetry.
I too wish the best for the EU. I hope (and I am under the impression) that, on balance, being in the EU has been good for Portugal.
Robert Anderson
Traditional student groups go around singing these fados. This has spread across european countries and they somtimes have festafals where they come together and sing. I think those student groups have a name but I cannot remember anymore. They used to go around in Portugal and sing to make a living.
I do not understand a WORD(for me not really important), even though the Words are PERHAPS the MOST IMPORTANT part of FADO, “BUT” the whole “Musical Experience” listening to FADO and Coimbra Fado is just WONDERFUL.The beautiful VOICES of women and men and the EXQUISITE instruments.JUST HEAVENLY and warm,like the Iberian Peninsala.
Robert Anderson’s elegant English translation of the Fado “Os Meus Olhos” beautifully captures the ‘saudade’ of the sting in the
heart expressed by o fadista Germano Rocha..
I visited Portugal in 1985 and discovered fado music.
I have acquired recordings by Amalia Rodrigues
and regularly listen to the beautiful and fateful
fado songs.
I never tire of listening to her beautiful rendition
of the fado songs of her native portugal
I first heard fado being sung in a tiny restaurant in Oporto, Portugal in 1962 when I attended the International Pediatric Congress (in Lisbon). I was captivated by the mournful melodious and expressive voice of the singer (a female). I have since learnt much more about fado, Amalia Rodrigues, and its resurgence. I have not been back to Portugal, but that fado I heard so many years ago still haunts me.
I write reviews ´all across the arts´ in English on Lanzarote Information web site to encourage new residents from abroad, like ourselves, to engage in the island´s arts and culture. Tomorrow night I am going to see Sara Correia in concert, singing Fado music, a genre I have not previously heard of. Tony´s article and some of the responses to it, like Paul speaking of how the music still haunts him after first hearing it years ago now have me greatly looking forward to the concert. The review will be published on the web site on either Friday22nd march or Friday 29th march and Tony will be acknowledged for his article here.
I heard Fado sung in a Lisbon restaurant in the 1960s. It was a moving
experience. You could feel the anguish of the singer and her sadness was
overwhelming. It is good to hear there are singers still keeping this important
art form alive. I am returning to Portugal this year and hope to hear another
Fado singer. Having lived in Hawaii for many years I find the Portuguese people
refreshingly happy for the most part.
Hi my name is Mimi, I am trying to find out this name of this song, I know the lyrics. Anyone know the name of this song and who was the singing? Greatly appreciated if anyone can find out for me please.
Voce me desprezou, porque sou pobre, e nao tenho nada, voce deziludio quando falou, que estava apaixonada, hoje eu chorei, porque noa suportei, eu bem que perder, o mundo da muintas voltas, amanha voce vai sofrer. Hoje eu chorei, porque nao suportei, eu bem que perder, o mundo das muintas valtas, amanha voce vai sofrer.
Regards Mimi Hamilton
i love this music it bings me much joy :D. mmmmm