Young fado singers from Portugal

Fado (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre which can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal but probably with much earlier origins. It is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics often about the sea or the life of the poor people.

The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade, a word describing a sentiment that is commonly considered to have no accurate translation in any other language. A similar but not accurate English translation might be to pine for something.

Some enthusiasts claim that Fado's origins are a mixture of African slave rhythms with the traditional music of Portuguese sailors and Arabic influence.

Mainstream fado performances during the 20th century included only a singer, a Portuguese guitar player and a classical guitar player but more recent settings range from singer and string quartet to full orchestra.

The fado is undoubtedly Portugal's most famous music. It is also a most rewarding experience which amply repays any effort that may be entailed in its initial appreciation.

The first great fado singer (fadista) who survived in collective memory is Maria Severa Onofriana, who lived in the first half of the 19th century. Recorded fado, however, did not appear until the next century. In the 1920s and 1930s.

Guitarists Carlos Paredes and his father Artur Paredes were the masters and the great pioneers of this genre and of the Portuguese guitar.

The late great Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes here joined by guitarists Manuel Paulo and Fernando Alvim and singers Nuno Guerreiro and Natalia Casanova in this haunting rendition of Cantiga de Maio, Song of May.

«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««« »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Portuguese younger generation respects fado but is not dedicated to it.

Contemporary fado artists like Misia have introduced the music to performers such as Sting. Misia and fadistas like Cristina Branco and Mariza walk the fine line between carrying on the tradition and trying to bring in a new audience.

Dulce Pontes, Mafalda Arnauth and Katia Guerreiro are other sonant artists that keep Fado alive, and brought with them a new look to the traditional song, occasionally reviving 19th century fado. The youngest world-traveling fadista of today and a top "New Generation of Fado" singer is Joana Amendoeira.

• Aldina Duarte

• Ana Moura

• Carminho

• Cristina Branco _{(Message from Google: The web site cristinabranco.com was denounced as an evil place and was locked in accordance with their security preferences.)}

• Dulce Pontes

• Joana Amendoeira

• Katia Guerreiro

• Mafalda Arnauth

• Mariza

• Misia

Fado cannot be explained, it must be felt and experienced. Once audiences are very knowledgeable and very demanding and the "fadista" must have the soul to transmit that feeling.

• PORTUGUESE "GODDESSES" & "GODS"

  Portugal has been known for decades as the country of the Fado singer Amália Rodrigues and the football player Eusébio. Right now Portugal has two new outstanding ambassadors: Mariza and Cristiano Ronaldo.

• PORTUGUESE MUSIC by frogdropping

  Living in Portugal means I'm exposed to Portuguese singers/songwriters/groups. Being Brtitish by birth means I was raised on a smorgasbord of different music ... and developed a very broad taste.