Mariza to sing traditional fados from new album in İstanbul

The 36-year-old singer, whose voice is reminiscent of the late diva Amália Rodrigues, has played a large role in reviving the genre of fado and helping its popularity grow internationally. Nominated twice for Latin Grammys and with over 1 million records sold worldwide, Mariza is undoubtedly one of the most popular fadistas worldwide.

Mariza is now bringing “Fado Tradicional,” her fifth and newest studio album, to İstanbul with a live performance this week at İş Sanat. In the album Mariza goes back to her memories of Lisbon and the traditional fados she grew up listening to. On Wednesday night she will be sharing these memories with concertgoers as part of her ongoing European tour for her new album.

Mariza speaks to Today’s Zaman about “Fado Tradicional”:

“Fado Tradicional” goes back to the roots of fado. Do you feel like you’re responsible for the transmission of tradition to the next generation?

It’s more of giving thanks to traditional singers of fado and more about my memories than feeling such kind of responsibility. Fado is an oral tradition, and this is the way of transmitting this tradition to new generations. Besides, I grew up in one of the most traditional neighborhoods, listening to traditional songs. In fact they did not teach us the tradition, but they all sang beautiful songs. I am returning to my childhood memories with this album, and I am giving thanks to everybody who embraced this tradition.

When you compare “Fado Tradicional” with your previous albums, how do you define this new album?

My first album, “Fado Em Mim,” was recorded in a very naive way. I never thought about tours, concerts and traveling around the world when I was recording the first album. Then I started to develop some concepts and started to share my favorite poems [with my listeners] via my second album, “Fado Curvo.” [My third album] “Transparente” was a romantic move with the lyrics of romantic poets that we recorded in Brazil. [The fourth studio album] “Terra” was an album that came after eight years of traveling and seeing different cultures. My latest album goes back to pure traditional fados, and it gives thanks to Lisbon as the first city embracing these beautiful old songs.

On “Terra” you worked with Javier Limon as producer. Whom did you work with for your new effort?

Diogo Clemente is the producer of my new album. He also worked together with Javier Limon on my previous album, “Terra,” and he helped me a lot with the last album. We have been working together with Diogo on stage for the past three years, and he knows me well as a singer and he knows my voice. It was quite comfortable working together with a musician who knows me this much while trying to collect my memories for this album.

You joined flamenco genius Javier Limon’s all-female album “Mujeres De Agua” with the song “Fadista Louco.” The album features many famous singers such as Buika, Estrella Morente and Yasmin Levy. What’s the story of your song on this album?

We picked up one of the songs I used to sing in my house when I was cleaning. Javier cared about sincerity for this project. I think the biggest expression of the soul is singing. Singing is the most beautiful way of exposing our feelings. “Fadista Louco” tells the story of a woman who sings with her heart. She says how crazy her heart is. I love to sing with my heart, too.

Do you have memories attached to all the traditional songs featured on your newest album?

I am returning to my past for now. I am returning to the neighborhood I grew up in and to the melodies I heard in my parents’ tavern with this album. All I want to do is carry this tradition on to the stage and reach more and more people.

What will the audience see on stage in your Feb. 2 concert at İş Sanat?

Frank Gehry is a great architect, and he created such an amazing set, bringing fado taverns to the stage. It’s really hard to describe, I guess you should come and see. It feels like the ambiance of old fado taverns. I don’t want to give many more clues, but it is going to be a concert stage that has the ambiance of taverns in Lisbon, giving the entire feeling of tradition.

You have been to İstanbul many times before for concerts. And, like most Turkish people, you love tea. Do you miss Turkish tea when you’re away?

Not only your çay but also your traditional food is beautiful, and luckily the weather was so beautiful the last time I visited İstanbul and I had a chance to hang around and enjoy the city. I even had a walk a little bit before the show. Besides, everybody treats me like a princess in İstanbul, and I feel so happy when I’m there.