More than the history and mysteries associated with Fado, the pinnacle of this musical style is due to the voices and interpretations of those who recite it.
It is the names of artists who have already passed away, combined with current artists, that bring excellence to this very Portuguese style.
Among the mixture of emotions and memories provided by each musical moment, we present some of the best-known names in Portuguese Fado.
Amália Rodrigues
We have a lot to thank Amália Rodrigues, Queen of Fado. Between 1943 and 1990, she performed on five continents, most notably in the United States, where she appeared on the NBC program Coke Time with Eddie Fisher in 1953. Even then, she was the first Portuguese artist to appear on American television.
In addition to music, Amália Rodrigues made her debut in several magazine plays and in the movies, with Fado always present. Her renditions can still be heard today and serve as an example to many.
Her awards and splendor took her to the National Pantheon in Lisbon, where she has lain since 2001. Among her best-known songs is “Povo que lavas no Rio”, a classic of Portuguese fado.
Carlos do Carmo
Another important name in Fado is Carlos do Carmo, son of fado singer Lucília do Carmo, acclaimed since 1963, when he first performed Júlio de Sousa’s Fado “Loucura”. Even at the beginning of his career, the fado singer received several awards.
He made his debut outside Portugal in 1970 with concerts in Angola, the United States and Canada. In 1976 he took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Holland. Here he performed the song “Uma Flor de Verde Pinho” by Manuel Alegre, which became part of the album “Uma Canção para a Europa”.
Augusto Hilário
Father of the acclaimed Fado Hilário, Augusto Hilário came into contact with Fado when he arrived in Coimbra between 1889 and 1890 to study medicine.
His interpretations quickly became known throughout the country. As well as interpreting poems by the authors of the time, he wrote several quatrains that became immortalized in society. Although his time in Fado was short, his death was mourned by his family, friends, admirers and acquaintances.
Mariza
After Amália Rodrigues, Mariza is the best-known name in Fado and Portuguese music internationally. Her first album, Fado em Mim, was released in 2001 by World Connection and reached 32 countries, putting her on the world’s lips. It includes her interpretation of the song “Ó gente da Minha Terra”, written by Amália Rodrigues.
From then on, Mariza continued to grow and released her second album, Fado Curvo, in which she performed the song “Primavera”. This album reached number 6 in the Billboard World Music chart.
Since then, she has released five more albums and has appeared on some of the biggest and most important international stages, collaborating with big names in the music industry.
Camané
Carlos Manuel Moutinho Paiva dos Santos, better known as Camané, is one of the brightest names in Fado of this generation. He began his career as an amateur fado singer and, at the age of 12, won the annual “Grande Noite do Fado” event, which over the years has featured names such as Marina Mota, Anabela Pires, Raquel Tavares and Ricardo Ribeiro.
Her participation in this event opened doors for her in the music industry, including her participation in several plays by Filipe La Féria. In 2000, he won a silver record for selling 10,000 copies of his third album. The following year he won his second silver disc, just three weeks after releasing his fourth album. In turn, the fado singer’s fifth album received a gold record.
Camané’s career continues to transcend borders, playing on some of the most important international stages.
Alfredo Marceneiro
Alfredo Marceneiro marked his generation in Fado. He started singing around 1905, when he was just 13, and quickly became known for his music and improvisations.
He took part in parties and cegadas until 1924, when he appeared at the São Luiz Theatre and won a Silver Medal. He retired in 1963, at the same venue that saw him win an award, but he never stopped singing.
His album “The Fabulous Marceneiro” was considered by Blitz to be one of the best Portuguese albums of all time.
On June 10, 1984, years after his death, he was awarded the Commendation of the Order of Infante D. Henrique by General Ramalho Eanes, then President of the Republic.