Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The songs are often in a minor key. The singer
(fadista)
is accompanied by a
12-string Portuguese
guitarra
(with a round body like a mandolin) or other stringed in-
struments unique to Portugal. Many singers crescendo into the first word of the verse,
like a moan emerging from deep inside. Though the songs are often sad, the singers
rarely overact—they plant themselves firmly and sing stoically in the face of fate.
A verse from a typical fado song goes:
O waves of the salty sea,
where do you get your salt?
From the tears shed by the women in black
on the beaches of Portugal.
My favorite Alfama fado experience is at a tiny, fun-loving restaurant called
ABaiuca.
It serves up spirited fado with traditional home-cooking. The menu and wine list are
