Mariza

Mariza is a Portuguese singer of Fado born with the Mozambique the December 16th 1973.

“I lived in a typical environment of Lisbon and I always sang the fado. I know what is the fado: it is through him that I include myself/understand”.

Mariza is Mozambiquienne whose heart was forged in the old district of Mouraria with Lisbon: it is there that she heard singers of fado for the first time and these memories - so many that they are based in his memory - still live in its music.

Its homages to Fernando Maurício and Amália Rodrigues in its last album, “Transparent” are consequently not surprising. Although it tries out other rhythmic forms, Mariza was always implied in the Fado. Its first album, with the evocative title of “Fado EM mim” (“Fado in me” in 2001) raises enthusiasm with the Portugal and propels Mariza on the international scene. Comment to the point of the press: “a star was born” !

In 2002, it receives the First Award for Most Outstanding Performance with the Festival of summer of Quebec and it occurs with Central Park with New York, with mythical the Hollywood Bowl, the Womad Festival and the Purcell Room with London. In March 2003; news dedication: BBC Radio operator decrees the Best European World to him Music Artist Award (a price which it will again receive in 2005). Its second album, “Fado Curvo” ( Fado curves , of which the title express the idea that the Fado, like the destiny, is not a line right-hand side) is born the same year and confirms all the hopes placed on the young singer. In terms of sales, Mariza then exceed all the other contemporary singers of Fado (it sells six times more than them!) At the time of rounds in Europe and in North America, its concerts with the Queen Elizabeth Hall with London, with the Alte Oper with Frankfurt, in the Arts center Belem with Lisbon and with the Théâtre of the City to Paris is complete.

In 2004, it takes part in “Unity” , the official Album of the Olympic Games where it sings “has Thousand Years” in duet with Sting. The concerts multiply on the four continents in prestigious rooms: Carnegie Hall with New York, Opera House with Sydney, House of the Music with Moscow, Barbican Center with London to quote only some of them.

In “Transparent” (“Transparent”), its new album which leaves in 2005 in 35 countries of Europe, Latin America and with The United States, it appears more still. It is revolving for Mariza. Its passion to sing the words of the poets remains

intact: these words, it endorses them through the emotion of sound interpretation.

In March 2005, Mariza becomes one of the ambassadresses international of the work and the spirit of Hans Christian Andersen. Denmark not chose it for its glory with Portugal and abroad but because the Fado, like work to Andersen, testifies to a certain poetic melancholy which returns its universal call.

In July, it is invited to belong to the “Live 8” under the banner “Afica Calling” with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Youssou Dour and Angelica Kidjo. One day of emotions for Mariza, born with the Mozambique. This same year sees it giving one unforgettable concert with Lisbon, with the Orchestra " Sinfonietta" of the city, having more than 20.000 people, and being named National ambassadress of the Portugal with the UNICEF to defend, to promote and help the initiatives of UNICEF.

In February 2006, the President of the Republic of Portugal honor Mariza with prestigious “the Comenda da Ordem C Infante”

D. Henrique”, a title which distinguishes the personalities having contributed to the expansion of the culture, the history and the values Portugal in the world. The Portugal also devotes it with a “Award Golden Globe” in the category of the Best Interpreter of the year for his album “Transparent”. And the Southern one is also put at it: Mariza has just been nominated with “2006 Helpmann Awards” under the category Better Concert International contemporary (Helpmann Awards in Australia are similar to Tony Awards in Broadway and to Olivier Awards in London). And what holds this beautiful transparent voice now for us? Mariza tried out other musical genres, the Flamenco by example by singing with the star Spanish Jose Mercé. But one can imagine well that it will never move away much from Fado, seeking in the work of the poets of the words to do them his in a traditional form of music which is the object of a constant revival: “the fado is not limited but it must to be treated with the greatest care” . According to the words of a poet, the Fado spawning time a way in the world thanks to the transparency of its language. What Mariza sings with all its heart.

(according to the English biography on www.mariza.org)

Participations

It sang the National anthem Portuguese ( has Portuguesa ) at the time of the celebrations of the birthday of the Révolution of the eyelets in 2004 as at the time of the Football world cup in Korea in 2002
It made a duet with Sting has thousand years in the official album of the Olympic Games of Athens (2004)
It took part in the emission of Télévision Later with Jools Holland of BBC

Discography

CD
Concerto EM Lisboa - Virgin (2006)
Transparent - World Connection (2005)
Fado Curvo - World Connection/Virgin (2003)
Fado EM Mim - World Connection/Night and Day (2001)

DVD
Concerto EM Lisboa - Virgin (2006)
Mariza Live In London - Virgin (2004)
Mariza & Duarte: Fado Today - Immortal (2004)

Cbk-zam: Mariza

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