Mariza

The world’s premier fado artist returns to our stage for the first time in more than eight years.

Born in Portuguese Mozambique but raised in Lisbon, Mariza grew up singing in a variety of styles, including fado. Her powerful, gorgeous soprano voice almost certainly would have propelled her to stardom in any genre. But, spurred to pay tribute to the internationally acclaimed Amália Rodrigues following the beloved Queen of Fado’s death in 1999, Mariza quickly found an adoring audience as a performer of the traditional music of Portugal. Her first album, Fado em Mim, sold more than 100,000 copies on its initial release in 2001, which was considered an astronomical sales total for a fado album at the time. Fado em Mim has now sold more than six million copies worldwide. And Mariza’s eight studio albums taken as a whole have accounted for nearly 28 million sales.

That commercial success is easy to understand when you hear those records — the latest of which, 2020’s Canta Amália, is a loving tribute to Rodrigues. It’s easier still when you see Mariza perform. Her voice is a revelation. Her expressive singing style is irresistible to Lusophone and non-Lusophone audiences alike. And her ability to bring in elements of samba, morna, and soul while remaining true to fado tradition is pure sorcery.