TRADITIONAL FADO

Cordeone

Federico Diaz

Ian Hutchison

TRADITIONAL FADO with Cordeone

Turn down the lights, put down your phone and sit back. We are about to take a journey to Lisbon, Portugal- no plane ticket needed.

Welcome to the sometimes romantic, sometimes emotional, and always passionate world of Fado. Featuring the incredible vocals of Cordeone, our fadista; the rhythmic pump of the viola de fado orchestrated by Federico Diaz; the smooth low tones of the double bass, brought to life by Ian Hutchison ; and starring the golden child of Fado: the Portuguese guitar, strummed to perfection by Cordeone; with an occasional visit from the accordion for an added element of surprise.

A soulful musical voyage into the maze-like streets of Lisbon, this authentic Traditional Fado ensemble will have you yearning along with the cry of the Portuguese guitar and singing poems of saudade that you never knew you understood.

The intimate setting only enhances the personal connection to the music- no need for fancy stage setups or the likes. In Fado, it’s all about the music. Cordeone & his Traditional Fado trio will take you to a simpler time, where music was meant to not only be heard, but also deeply felt.

Discover TRADITIONAL FADO

“The lights are dim. There’s only a gentle red glow to illuminate the space. He slowly sashays her way to his position in front of the other musicians. There is a classic guitarist- he smiles in anticipation, ready to accompany the other star of the show... ”

“He closes his eyes.

He is softly placing his fingers on the Portuguese guitar. Everyone is silent. Every head is turned toward him, immobile, waiting.

The Portuguese guitar rings the introduction.
The fadista opens his mouth, and it begins. His eyes remain closed for nearly the entirety of the song, occasionally fluttering as he takes a breath. He turns to the left and to the right, and again to the left, making sure he covers the whole room as he sings. His voice carries. There are no microphones in Fado. Only emotion. And you can feel it. The yearning, the lament, the intensity- it can’t be manufactured. Whether he or she is performing for 1 or 1000, fadistas give their all, every time.

What a lesson in artistry”

— A-M's Tea Room (Art and Travel blog)

Cordeone’s TRADITIONAL FADO

Traditional Fado, which usually takes place in cave-like settings (wine cellars, underground restaurants, grottos) similarly intimate environments or theatre stages, requires just 3 instruments: the Portuguese guitar, played with false, taped-on fingernails; the Viola do Fado or classic guitar; and acoustic vocals. Cordeone has added the standup bass for an even deeper experience. The songs are actually poems constructed in specific Fado meter, and multiple fadistas sing in rotation during the set. Cordeone sings a variety of traditional Fado poems from Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, colleague Elsa Magalhães; as well as his own original compositions.

The performance often starts with a guitarrada, an instrumental Fado highlighting the intricacy of the 12-string Portuguese guitar, before the Cordeone sings. A guest Fadista may be invited to join him on stage to delight audiences with a duet and desgarradas (Fado battles), offering a compelling contrast of male and female voicings during the show.

Cordeone’s Traditional Fado follows the constructs of authentic Portuguese Fado, maintaining a kind of showmanship and professionalism reminiscent of Classical and Operatic music. A certain etiquette is exemplified and expected from the audience during the show. It is customary for a Fadista and the musicians to stop singing or playing if the audience is found to be too noisy, resuming only once silence is reestablished.

Traditional Fado is quite an experience and an exquisite addition to any intimate performance series.