The rich, melancholy melodies of Fado music are steeped in the history of the Portuguese. Fado, explains playwright Elaine Avila, is the feeling of saudade —the happiness of beautiful days long gone and the pain of knowing they will never return. On November 2, I had the immense pleasure of watching Mariza’s return performance in the Chan Shun Concert Hall, and experienced how music can truly transcend barriers and cultivate cross-cultural connections. I stepped into the packed concert hall and heard the excited murmurs of the audience. The lights soon dimmed and the crowd became still. A guitar started playing and Mariza began singing — silhouetted by the warm glow of a spotlight. Following tradition, she began her set with a tribute to Amalia Rodrigues, a very iconic and internationally renowned Fadista. Her strong, soulful voice was complemented beautifully by Pedro Jóia and José Manuel Neto on guitar, YAMI on bass and Vicky Marques on drums. A perfect symphony rose up and brought us all into the world of Fado, as well as the world of Mariza.
In this concert, Mariza focused on performing songs from her most recent album, Mundo. She says that although the title of the record means “world,” it is not inspired by her travels. Rather, it is her way of sharing the person that she is today. She first started singing Fado as a child growing up in Lisbon and now, on her world tour, she sings against a backdrop of images from her native city. Fifteen years after her first album, Fado em Mim, she truly has come a long way. Mariza is now hailed as “the living voice of Fado,” with numerous accolades from all over the world, including a 2017 Latin GRAMMY nomination for Mundo — putting her in the same ranks as Amalia Rodrigues.
“Is Fado a sad music?” she asked the crowd, recounting repeated questions from numerous interviewers. This remark was met by hearty laughter. To Mariza, Fado evokes the feelings of life — sadness, yes, but also love, jealousy and happiness. She instructed us to sing along with her, and encouraged us to add more and more energy as we went. During “Padoce de Céu Azul (Little Piece of Blue Sky),” she instructed us to sing “Once forever, once for all” during the chorus with her. “Music is to have fun,” she said, and she launched into teaching us how to sing a chunk of Portuguese from “Rosa Branca (White Rose).”
Throughout the night, Mariza would engage the audience in a light banter, revealing to us stories about her family. Although her songs are immersed in her Portuguese roots, she also draws inspiration from her African heritage. Her music is an eclectic blend of Fado with Cape Verdean mornas and rhythm and blues classics. It was her last night on tour, and she was eager to go back home to her husband and son. She dedicated several songs to her husband, and also invited us to think of the loves that make us feel complete. At the end of the night, she managed to transport us from the concert hall to the streets and tavernas of Portugal. She invited us to imagine ourselves in Lisbon, and listen to “the sound of tradition.”
“It’s mine and yours, this Fado,” said Mariza. But in her heart, she explained, Fado is more than music — it is fate, it is destiny. She repeated, “It’s mine and yours, this destiny.” She closed her set by singing “Paixão (Passion)” and blowing a kiss to the audience. In return, we gave her four standing ovations. The flurry of excitement and liveliness from the crowd called for an encore. Mariza sang as we clapped and vocalized along, and she stepped down from the stage to shake our hands and thank us for coming.
I eagerly await her next triumphant return to Vancouver and I encourage you to do the same.
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