Born in Mozambique and raised in Portugal, Mariza began singing Fado as a child, before she could read. In 1999 she performed in tribute concerts for the Queen of Fado, Amália Rodrigues, and in 2000 she received the “Voice of Fado” award. She has since been declared one of the “100 most important women in Europe” and has played throughout the world—and at the Wisconsin Union Theater.

Fado is Portugal’s passionate, bittersweet and emotional music, full of passion, sorrow, jealousy, grief, and often satire. “Mariza’s appearance was striking…she sang an old fado, with her voice swelling to reach climaxes that were just short of tears.” (New York Times)