Page 147 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

ENTER T AINMENT IN LISBON  145

Alfredo Duarte (1891–1982)
was a renowned writer of fado
lyrics dealing with love,
death, longing, tragedy and
triumph. Affectionately
known as O Marceneiro (the
master carpenter) because
of his skill as a joiner, he is
still revered and his work
widely performed.

A cultural icon for the
Portuguese, Amália
Rodrigues (1921–99)
was the leading
exponent of fado
for over 50 years. She
All kinds of themes may occur in fado. crystallized the music’s
This song of 1910, for example, celebrates style in the post-war
the dawning of the liberal republic. Such years and made it
songsheets remained a favoured means of known around
dissemination, even after the first records the world.
were made in 1904.
The viola provides rhythm accompaniment,
but the player will never take a solo.

The music has long inspired great writers and
painters. O Fado (1910) by José Malhôa (1855–1933)
shows it in an intimate setting with the fadista
captivating his listener. The air of abandonment
underlines the earthiness of many of the songs.
The Fado House
Lisbon’s best fado houses are
those run by fadistas themselves. Where to Enjoy Fado in Lisbon
Based on a love of the music
and on relationships with other Any of these places offer good O Faia
performers, such houses usually food, wine and music. Or Rua da Barroca 54–6.
offer a truer fado experience visit the Museu do Fado for Map 4 F2. Tel 213 426 742.
than the larger, tourist-oriented a fascinating exhibition on Parreirinha de Alfama
houses. A good example is the the history of fado. Beco do Espírito Santo 1.
Parreirinha de Alfama, owned Map 7 E4. Tel 218 868 209.
by Argentina Santos (shown Clube de Fado Restaurante do Museu do Fado
above). Less slick, but more Rua São João da Praça 94. Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1.
emotionally charged, are Map 8 D4. Tel 218 852 704. Map 8 E4. Tel 218 823 470.
performances of fado vadio, Fado em Si Senhor Vinho
“itinerant” fado, in humbler Arco de Jesus 7. Map 8 D4. Rua do Meio à Lapa 18.
restaurants and bars such as Tel 218 865 088. Map 4 D3. Tel 213 972 681.
Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto.

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