Fado is a Portuguese music genre that originated in the 1820s, characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics about the sea or the poor. It is closely linked to the Portuguese word "saudade", describing a complex feeling of longing, nostalgia, sadness, pain, happiness and love. Some trace its origins to a mixture of African, Portuguese and Arabic influences. There are two main styles - Lisbon fado which is more popular, and Coimbra fado which is more refined. Modern fado remains popular in Portugal and has produced many renowned singers.

1. Music of FADO Click on FADO (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre which most likely originated in the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. It is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word SAUDADE, a word with no accurate English translation. (It is a kind of longing, and conveys a complex mixture of mainly nostalgia, but also sadness, pain, happiness and love) Some enthusiasts claim that Fado’s origins are a mixture of African slave rhythms with the traditional music of Portuguese sailors and Arabic influence. There are two main varieties of fado, namely those of the cities of Lisbon and Coimbra. The Lisbon style is the most popular, while Coimbra’s fado is the more refined style. Modern fado is popular in Portugal, and has produced many renowned singers.

2. Camané Pedro Moutinho Carlos Zel The Great Amália Carlos do Carmo Margarida Bessa Coimbra’s Fado Rao Kiao Click on JB