Capturing the spirit of Portugal, fado is the rhythm, soul and heartbeat of the country. This historic genre is beloved from the golden sands of Algarve to the fertile foothills of the Douro Valley, and is so ingrained in the cultural tapestry of the nation, that it has found its way onto UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Rising from the taverns of Lisbon in the early 19th century, fado is Portugal’s answer to the blues. This unique musical form deals with passion, melancholy and heartbreak. The lingering, seafaring ballads of fado are sung exclusively by women, and always driven by the stirring rhythm of the traditional 12-string Portuguese guitar.