Fado

Air Date:
Heard On The Odyssey Series
Mariza – fado singer

It’s called Fado, a Portuguese urban sound, and it is one of the most important European musical traditions.

Since the 1990s Fado, well established at home in Portugal where it was first authored, has of late drawn renewed interest and enthusiasm – increasingly becoming a favorite among followers of international music.

The word fado comes from the Latin word fatum, meaning fate or destiny. For the Portuguese, the meaning is richer and more complex. It is in fact, their most representative traditional song, a symbol of national identity- rendered with a mournful touch OR as a festive expression performed with its signature moaning-like quality by women and men alike. Beyond Portugal, it is the melancholic flavor of fado that captivates the global affection for the style.

Episode Credits

  • Dr. Jonathan Øverby Host
  • Joe Hardtke Technical Director

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