Fado

Fado (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre that can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. In popular belief, Fado is a form of music characterised by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. However, in reality Fado is simply a form of song that can be about anything, but must follow a certain structure.
The fado is undoubtedly Portugal's most famous music. One theory states that Fado had its origin in Moorish songs, which were preserved in the quarter of Mouraria in Lisbon. The melancholy of those songs and the references in many fado lyrics to this part of Lisbon support that theory. Musicological research connects the first fado performances to modinhas, which were a kind of Brazilian hall music that was successful among middle-class social circles in the later 18th century in Lisbon and Porto

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 is the more refined style. Modern fado is popular in Portugal, and has produced many renowned musicians. Mariza (Marisa dos Reis Nunes) featured in the clip above is considered to be one of the best fado singers of the new generation.

Mainstream fado performances during the 20th century included only a singer, a Portuguese guitar player and a classical guitar player but more recent settings range from singer and string quartet to full orchestra.