The reverent sounds of the Portuguese Fado music style sat on the air the night of the 24th of October, as The Robert and Margit Mondavi Center in Davis. After pre-theater dining there is no better venue in the surrounding area to engage in the performing arts. Opened in 2002, this 1,800- seat theater features a a large glass-paneled lobby that is surrounded by sandstone tiles lining the interior walls. The Center itself appears to be designed as a box within a box in order to insulate the hall from the sound. The Center also features moveable panels that can adjust the acoustics of the main hall; these astounding acoustics recently showcased the musical talents of Mariza Reis Nunes, a Latin Grammy-nominated Fado singer.
Originally from Mozambique where she then moved to Portugal, Mariza predominantly sings in the Fado style - (translated as destiny or fate), dating from the 1820s in Portugal. This beautiful and charismatic diva is a multi-platinum recording star in Europe, her first recording, Fado em Mim, was released in 2002. Her following recording, Fado Curvo, was received with even more acclaim bringing her an award for Best European Artist in World Music from the BBC as well as an invitation to accompany superstar singer Sting on his album Unity, which became the official album of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. “The ultimate diva, Mariza doesn’t so much walk as glide regally around the stage,” wrote the Financial Times of London. “Her couture gown and trademark short, immaculately coiffed blonde hair mark her as the fadista of a new, image-conscious generation, but fortunately she doesn’t sacrifice musical integrity for hipness... Mariza artfully controlled her emotive and powerful voice from a seductively delicate purr to an anguished roar.”
Unconventional in her style compared to those in her genre, Mariza sang the soulful Portuguese folk style with her four-piece band including Luís Guerreiro (Portuguese guitar), António Neto (acoustic guitar), Vasco Sousa (acoustic bass), and Joäo Pedro Ruela (percussion) instead of a normal 12 person ensemble. The vocal range of this singer astounded was impressive, from low sultry altos to strong high sopranos; the notes she sang were unparalleled. Not versed in Portuguese, the words were foreign to me, but the emotion in the songs and stage style could not be missed, and the crowd could not help but be mesmerized by the vocal stylings of this renowned artist.
With two encores and three standing ovations Mariza’s concert was a great success, and when once again coming out to greet the crowd for a final sampling of her vocal talent, she spoke conversationally to the crowd about the possibilities of translating the Fado style into English, to which she responded, “No – this is not possible, but if I was to sing a song with the same history, culture, and emotion, it would sound something like this.” Mariza then performed a bluesy and haunting version of “Summertime” that was stunning.
Not catering as much to long runs of shows the Mondavi center instead highlights many different performances over the year. Some of the most tantalizing performances in the near future not to miss are New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on November 2nd, harmonious and legendary Blind Boys of Alabama on December 20th, the world renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman on January 19th and many more. Information about these upcoming performers and others to come can be found at www.mondaviarts.org.
Originally from Mozambique where she then moved to Portugal, Mariza predominantly sings in the Fado style - (translated as destiny or fate), dating from the 1820s in Portugal. This beautiful and charismatic diva is a multi-platinum recording star in Europe, her first recording, Fado em Mim, was released in 2002. Her following recording, Fado Curvo, was received with even more acclaim bringing her an award for Best European Artist in World Music from the BBC as well as an invitation to accompany superstar singer Sting on his album Unity, which became the official album of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. “The ultimate diva, Mariza doesn’t so much walk as glide regally around the stage,” wrote the Financial Times of London. “Her couture gown and trademark short, immaculately coiffed blonde hair mark her as the fadista of a new, image-conscious generation, but fortunately she doesn’t sacrifice musical integrity for hipness... Mariza artfully controlled her emotive and powerful voice from a seductively delicate purr to an anguished roar.”
Unconventional in her style compared to those in her genre, Mariza sang the soulful Portuguese folk style with her four-piece band including Luís Guerreiro (Portuguese guitar), António Neto (acoustic guitar), Vasco Sousa (acoustic bass), and Joäo Pedro Ruela (percussion) instead of a normal 12 person ensemble. The vocal range of this singer astounded was impressive, from low sultry altos to strong high sopranos; the notes she sang were unparalleled. Not versed in Portuguese, the words were foreign to me, but the emotion in the songs and stage style could not be missed, and the crowd could not help but be mesmerized by the vocal stylings of this renowned artist.
With two encores and three standing ovations Mariza’s concert was a great success, and when once again coming out to greet the crowd for a final sampling of her vocal talent, she spoke conversationally to the crowd about the possibilities of translating the Fado style into English, to which she responded, “No – this is not possible, but if I was to sing a song with the same history, culture, and emotion, it would sound something like this.” Mariza then performed a bluesy and haunting version of “Summertime” that was stunning.
Not catering as much to long runs of shows the Mondavi center instead highlights many different performances over the year. Some of the most tantalizing performances in the near future not to miss are New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on November 2nd, harmonious and legendary Blind Boys of Alabama on December 20th, the world renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman on January 19th and many more. Information about these upcoming performers and others to come can be found at www.mondaviarts.org.
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