Fado music is a form of Portuguese singing that is often associated with pubs, cafés, and restaurants. It can be described by using the Portuguese word “saudade,” which means “longing” and stands for a feeling of loss. The singer of Fado (literally, “fate”) speaks to the often-harsh realities of everyday life, sometimes with a sense of resignation, sometimes with the hope of resolution.

Fado is a music genre that can be traced back to the 1820’s in Lisbon and could have even earlier origins.  It is said that the first famous Fado singer was Maria Severa, still in the 19th century. She was a local prostitute from Mouraria with an amazing voice, who had an affair with a count and became famous after that. The twentieth century saw the appearance of great Fado singers, with very diverse styles.