Recommended Music

Arguably the oldest urban folk music in the world, fado remains the soul music of Portugal. From the 1940s until her death in 1999, Amalia Rodrigues was the top diva fadista in Portugal. No one in the post-millennium has dethroned her.

A current sensation, Ana Laíns, takes a much more contemporary approach to fado than did Amalia. Her first album, Sentidos, was released in 2006 and scored an international success. Her songs blend introspective themes with simple lullaby melodies remembered from her childhood.

The greatest guitar player in Portugal is Antonio Chainho. His voice plays "second fiddle" to his guitar, whose music he makes the focal point of his concerts and recordings.

After the release of his solo album, O. Mesmo Fado, António Zambujo has been hailed as "best new fado singer" in the Lisbon press. As a fadistic, Zamujo is a lover of tradition -- that is, classical fado.

Another respected fadista is Cristina Branco, who preferred jazz, blues, or bossa nova until she discovered the "passion and emotion of fado." Her unique interpretation of fado is heard on her latest album, Murmurios.

One of the most promising of today's young male fadistas is Durate; another new-generation fadistic is Joana Amendoeiraq, who is known for her sensuous and moving harmonies, which have gained her an international following.

Ever since she released her first album, Mafalda, in 1999, Mafalda Arnauth has become an important voice of fado not only in Portugal but abroad.

Mariza was singing fado before she could read. Her first CD, Fado em Mim, offers six of the most classic fado songs and six original compositions. In all of them she "tugs at the heart and soul," in the words of one music critic.

Groups that are current favorites in the Portuguese music world include Ala Dos Namorados, known for their innovative repertoire that ranges from rhythms of Cape Verde to re-creations of medieval voices.

Music by all of the above singers can be purchased at Valentim de Carvalho (Rua do Carmo; tel. 21/324-15-70), the best music store in Lisbon.