Fado

The word fado possibly comes from the Latin word fatum ("fate", "death" or "utterance"). The word is linked to the music genre itself, although both meanings are approximately the same in the two languages. Nevertheless, many songs play on the double meaning, such as the Amália Rodrigues song "Com que voz", which includes the lyric "Com que voz chorarei meu triste fado" ("With what voice should I lament my sad fate/sing my sad fado?"). Perhaps shedding light on fadista are the Proto-Celtic *wātis (prophet, poet; see Proto-Celtic language), the English-Latin vates (Celtic bard, prophet, philosopher), and the Old French fatiste (poet), evolving to the Middle French fatiste (actor in a medieval mystery play). == History ==

Fado appeared during the early 19th century in Lisbon, and is believed to have its origins in the bohemian areas of the capital, such as Bairro Alto, Mouraria and Alfama districts. A different theory about the origin of fado was defended by Brazilian musical critic José Ramos Tinhorão, who said that fado was brought into Portugal by the hands and craft of a mixed-race Brazilian musician called Domingos Caldas Barbosa in the mid 18th century. There are numerous theories about the origin of fado. Some trace its origins or influences to the medieval "cantigas de amigo" (song of a friend), others suggest some ancient Moorish influence, and yet others point to the chants of (enslaved) Africans sailing at sea. None of these are compelling. It possibly evolved and formed from various older musical genres. More recently Amália Rodrigues, known as the "Rainha do Fado" ("Queen of Fado") was most influential in popularizing fado worldwide. Fado performances today may be accompanied by a string quartet or a full orchestra. == Musicological aspects ==

Fado typically employs major or minor tonal harmony, sometimes switching between the two during a melody or verse change. A particular stylistic trait of fado is the use of rubato, where the music pauses at the end of a phrase and the singer holds the note for dramatic effect. The music uses double-time rhythm and triple-time (waltz style). == Varieties ==

There are two main varieties of fado, linked respectively to the cities of Lisbon and Coimbra. The Lisbon style is better known, owing much to the popularity of Amália Rodrigues. It has been suggested that fado appeared on the streets of Lisbon only after 1840. Before then, the sailor's fado was sung at the bow of a boat, serving as a model for the first fados sung on land. Lisbon hosts a Fado Museum. Coimbra fado students playing fado in a serenade at the front door of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velha) The fado style of Coimbra is traditionally linked to the city's university and the style of medieval serenading troubadours. It is sung exclusively by men; both the singers and musicians wear the academic outfit (traje académico): dark robe, cape and leggings. Dating to the troubadour tradition of medieval times, it is sung at night, almost in the dark, in city squares or streets. Typical venues are the steps of the Santa Cruz Monastery and the Old Cathedral of Coimbra. It is also customary to organize serenades where songs are performed before the window of a woman to be courted. As in Lisbon, Coimbra fado is accompanied by the guitarra portuguesa and viola (a type of guitar). The Coimbra guitar has evolved into an instrument different from that of Lisbon, with its own tuning, sound colouring, and construction. Artur Paredes, a progressive and innovative singer, revolutionised the tuning of the guitar and the style with which it accompanied Coimbra fado. Artur Paredes was the father of Carlos Paredes. He followed in his father's footsteps and expanded on his work, making the Portuguese guitar an instrument known around the world. In the 1950s, a new movement led the singers of Coimbra to adopt the ballad and folklore. They began interpreting lines of the great poets, both classical and contemporary, as a form of resistance to the Salazar dictatorship. In this movement, names such as Adriano Correia de Oliveira and José Afonso (Zeca Afonso) had a leading role in popular music during the Carnation Revolution of 1974. Some of the most famous fados of Coimbra include: Fado Hilário, Saudades de Coimbra ("Do Choupal até à Lapa"), Balada da Despedida ("Coimbra tem mais encanto, na hora da despedida" – the first phrases are often more recognizable than the song titles), ''O meu menino é d'oiro, and Samaritana''. The "judge-singer" Fernando Machado Soares is an important figure, being the author of some of those famous fados. It is not a Coimbra fado, but a popular song that is the best known title referring to this city: Coimbra é uma lição, which had success with titles such as April in Portugal. == See also ==