Lisbon is famous for Fado Music.
Traditional Portuguese Music, is considered today UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE.
Fado is something unique, and typical of Lisbon.
According to Wikipedia:
Fado (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfaðu]; “destiny, fate”) is a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal, but probably has much earlier origins. Fado historian and scholar Rui Vieira Nery states that “the only reliable information on the history of fado was orally transmitted and goes back to the 1820s and 1830s at best. But even that information was frequently modified within the generational transmission process that made it reach us today.”[1]
Although the origins are difficult to trace, today fado is commonly regarded as simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain traditional structure. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fate and melancholy. This is loosely captured by the Portuguese word saudade, or longing, symbolizing a feeling of loss (a permanent, irreparable loss and its consequent lifelong damage). This is similar to the character of several musical genres in Portuguese ex-colonies such as morna from Cape Verde, which may be historically linked to fado in its earlier form and have retained its rhythmic heritage. This connection to the music of a historic Portuguese urban and maritime proletariat (sailors, bohemians, dock workers, port traders, fishwives and other working-class people) can also be found in Brazilian modinha and Indonesian kroncong, although all these music genres subsequently developed their own independent traditions.
In Lisbon, there are several places where you can assist to a Fado Live Music/Show Performance.
Usually, guests have dinner at restaurants, while Fado is being performed live.
Here is a short example:
There are only few places where this happen. Here is a shortlist of some places I recommend in Lisbon:
- Clube de Fado (Alfama): https://g.page/clubedefado?share
- Parreirinha de Alfama: https://goo.gl/maps/SJqfp4hE3Efvwh9T8
- Sr. Fado (Alfama): https://g.page/Fadorestaurante?share
- Sr. Vinho (Lapa): https://goo.gl/maps/NkktNo4rc9X32YjH7
- Casa de Linhares (Alfama): https://g.page/casa_de_linhares?share
- Adega Machado (Bairro Alto): https://g.page/adegamachado?share
- Cafe Luso (Bairro Alto): https://g.page/cafeluso?share
You have also more informal options (2 Bars suggested in town):
- Tasca do Chico (Bairro Alto): https://goo.gl/maps/k5DTFGbUrBH1CrBu9
- Tasca do Jaime (Graça): https://goo.gl/maps/u84qwkmjpE86q6SQ6
There’s also one last option, which is Fado in Chiado live show (50min), with no meal. Something lighter and quicker. Please Check here: https://fadoinchiado.com/
Book here your private tour of Lisbon, including major city highlights: https://portugal-magik.com/tour/full-day-best-of-lisbon-highlights-private-tour/
Gonzalo
Founder/Owner of The Lisbon Guide, one of the major blog references in Portugal, established in 2014 and receiving every year 250.000 visitors from all over the world, looking to provide the best experiences in Portugal. In partnership with Portugal Magik for all private tours and transfers across Portugal, Gonzalo loves a good seafood meal at Monte Mar Cascais, and all from Michelin Chef Avillez. Favorite Hotel in Lisbon/Portugal, Penha Longa Resort by Ritz Carlton.
For over 15 years, Gonzalo have been helping thousands of travelers yearly to plan a perfect trip to Portugal. Based in Lisbon/Cascais and working in this field for over 20 years, with multiple ongoing projects. Also an avid TripAdvisor user level 6 with more than 300.000 readers worldwide.
Many years working also as a Private Guide of Lisbon, Sintra, Fatima, Porto, Douro Valley, Evora, and other locations in Portugal.
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