THE FADO
Portuguese Folk Music
Fado Em Si is home to tradition. Decorative traditions, the hand painted earthenware dish, leather nailed chairs and Minho embroidery. Also the tradition of welcoming, that is a characteristic of Portuguese people, and last but not least, the traditional cuisine. And being Fado Em Si a restaurant with live entertainment, it presents the singing and dancing traditions of our people throughout the centuries.
Through the fado presentations, the popular song that best depicts the Portuguese soul, and today part of UNESCO classification as cultural heritage of mankind, you may appreciate the diversity of this song.
Fado has moments of deep melancholia, in which the feelings are expressed in the voice, and one easily falls into sadness. But it also has great moments of joy, mainly in songs that praise the city of Lisbon, or its neighborhoods, or happy love affairs. Fado is like life, it swings back and forth from joy to sorrow
Maybe its origin may explain the sadness: some authors say that it came about with the discovery of distant lands, when sailors sang paced by the swinging and cadenced rhythm of the waves, the bitterness of the absence of family and homeland, other authors say its origin is prior the epic discoveries, going back to the singing of captive Moors during the Christian recovery of territory, and yet others say its origin can be rooted in the slaves songs, shipped to Brasil in the 16th and 17th centuries, and brought back to Portugal by the Portuguese Royalty, upon their return when the Napoleonic invasions were over. Whatever the origin, one would sing fado (word comes from the Latin Fatum – fate), the sorrowv of life itself.
In a city where neighbourhoods were true communities, as if Lisbon were a cluster of several villages, fado that praised these neighbourhoods emerged. These traditional folk songs are cheerful, and show the love each inhabitant has for its neighbourhoods. In the first half of the 20th century, the competition between the typical neighbourhoods is settled, by organizing folk parades, with each neighbourhood presenting a new fado dedicated to that neighbourhood, whilst parading in the streets of the Town Centre. These festivals are still done to this day, being its highlight the Santo António celebrations, a Lisbon saint, born in
Alfama, and venerated enthusiastically by the people.
Also in the beginning of the 20th century, possibly before, people began to enjoy Sunday leisure gatherings, strolls and outdoor meals, where fado was sung. From these early days from the pubs, where people used to sing, to restaurants presenting fado in a rather unprofessional way, to the fado houses, places where guests mingled with acknowledged fado singers during meals, things naturally evolved.
Fado also crossed Lisbon borders, expanding and becoming popular in other regions throughout the country, mainly in Porto, Ribatejo and Alentejo. As a song connected to the day-by-day life of the performer, fado acquires special features in Ribatejo, with lyrics very much linked with the life and culture of the region, like the bond between man and horse, his true ally in the toil of large herds of wild bulls, or in confrontation between man with the wild beast
André Vaz
From an early age she showed great vocal quality and passion for Fado. He won the “Grande Noite do Fado” in 1993, in the juvenile category, having produced several record works since then. He interrupted his career for professional reasons, but he returns better than ever, in his traditional style.
Bruno Igrejas
Born in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood, Bruno Igrejas found a taste for fado from an early age, at the age of 8 he starts to sing. It started in the most typical restaurants in Alfama, and later in various recreational communities, which are the best fado school, where it matches with other names, exchanges impressions and learns. In 2003 he won a competition organized by the Cultural Association “O Fado” and later joined the cast of the musical “Amália”, by Filipe la Feria. He currently sings in this house, in addition to traveling abroad on a regular basis.
Luísa Rocha
She doesn’t just sing well, she internalizes what she sings, hence we understand the melodies and we understand the words. His soul breathes music, adding what other professionals from the British broadcaster point out to the “beautiful voice, with grain, and the ability to communicate the essence of words through the passion with which he gives himself in interpreting the melody, allowing an intuitive understanding of what is happening. listening; listening to it is a real gift”, Michel Rossi, producer of BBA Radio3.
Maria do Carmo Themudo
She is in love with Fado, nurturing her passion for singing for many years.
His enormous professionalism and devotion are reflected in the careful selection of the repertoire and the soul he puts into his interpretations.
Claúdia Picado
Still very young, Cláudia Picado won two Grandes Noites do Fado and never stopped. Invited to participate in several World Music festivals, taking fado to various countries, she always returns to Portugal, where her fado feels the affection and admiration of the public. When we listen to Cláudia Picado’s voice, the fado soul is notorious, in an enormous musical versatility with a charismatic presence, both on stage and in the intimate atmosphere of a fado house.
Teresa Tapadas
She has been part of the national Fado scene for many years, having been recognized for her unique talent. He has several discographic works and numerous participations in projects. Teresa Tapadas’ eyes are more than mirrors of the soul. They are a reflection of the voice. Clear, crystalline, magnetic eyes, full of light as when he sings the Fado that is in his soul.
