Of the crop of singers who have breathed new life into fado, the traditional Portuguese song form, none has risen so fast as Mariza. Considered throughout the world to be the reigning ambassador of Portuguese fado, Mariza has been seducing audiences globally with her awesome singing, charismatic stage presence, and powerful blend of traditional and contemporary songs. “Mariza has it all—charisma, a voice to die for, and stunning looks… destined to become one of the world’s great divas,” says The New York Times. Funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the American Masterpieces initiative, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies.
Music Samples
Thursday, February 19
Concert Hall 7:30 pm
$35, $30, $15; Five College Students and Youth 17 and under $15
Mariza is the world’s great divas. I love to listen her. Kissssssssss for her.
Paul.
The show was simply amazing. Kudos on the lighting.
Mariza was fabulous! She drew in the crowd with her voice and charm. Would definitely see her again!
What a wonderful show. Mariza is a star, Yet besides her singing and command of the stage, the musicianship, and even the lighting was fantastic. It was also wonderful to experience the Portuguese community gathered at the FAC. Thank-you
Mariza was amazing – she is truly a great performer, and her band was also some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen. I’m a drummer, and have been around world-class drummers for years – but I have never seen a better drum solo! She made the big concert hall feel like an intimate night club. Kudos!
Mariza delivers every song with energy and her own charisma. She not only has a clear distinct voice, but is also a gracious performer who cares about her audience and communicates with them very well. Im not Portuguese and didnt understand a word she was singing, but I was mesmerized by her style, percise timing and as she said CREME DELA CREME instrumentals. It was truly a great show. I wish her tremendous success.
Mariza’s voice echoes with the passion and soul of Fado and the musicians were superb. She truly is an amazing singer. My father adored Amalia and I grew up listening to her songs. If he were alive today he would have adored Mariza.
I went with my parents (who are Portuguese) and my husband (who is not) and everyone loved the show. She did a great job of connecting with the Portuguese and American parts of the audience. Like others, I agree that the instrumentals were superb and the lighting unexpectedly stole the show for me. Would definitely see her again.
I’ve been listening to her music for years and found this live experience and jewel for UMass and the Fine Arts Center. Kudos for including our local community members. It reminds me of the blessing of the Fleet in Provincetown where there is community fado singing at night on the wharf.
Her english song, Smile, caused me to drift to the vocals of Barbara Striesand and Diana Ross. Great catch for African American History month!!
I adored the show. But then I adore Mariza. Her voice is spectacular. Her ability both to belt out the music and to whisper in perfect notes. And her dress! And on top of that the drummer was amazing. And I never even knew she spoke English. And I loved particularly her last encore when she sang and her musicians played without amplification.
I am such a fan. Thank you.
Only, dear friends at the Fine Arts Center — I can’t believe that you have such a state of the art auditorium and one — ONE — bathroom. What were the designers and builders thinking?
As a Portuguese person and a Fado enthusiast, I thought this was by far the best Fado performance I have ever seen, if not the best performance in general! Mariza blew me away with her voice and her gracefulness. She was beautiful both to watch and listen to. I was also more than pleased with the other musicians on stage. The gentlemen playing the guitarra was amazing beyond words; his fingers moved so quickly!
My boyfriend, who is not Portuguese and is not very familiar with Fado music, was also moved by her music.
She has so much charisma! I simply love Mariza and I know I will see her again in concert, someday.
Mariza … what can I say? I love her!!!
I have followed her on CD and DVD for some time so I was excited to finally get to see her in person. I had Section A seats and, believe me, they were more than worth the price because from the moment Mariza came on to the stage, I was captivated! Such poise & charisma; such dignity, such sizzling sensuality and the ability to transport me to Lisbon … WOW! I see a lot of live music and this concert was the best concert I have been to in years! Thanks so much for this magnificent woman! – Kent
The show was well worth the drive from New Haven, CT. She is an elegant woman with a beautiful voice. Truly blessed she is with musical talent.
Jennifer
The show was fantastic!!!. Mariza was so inspiring with her choice of songs, her grace, charm, charisma, passion, sensuality, beauty, and, of course, her spectacular voice. She had me completely captivated and engaged. Her last encore was very moving. The musicians (especially the Portuguese Guitarist and the drummer) and the lighting were all exceptional. Kudos to the Fine Arts Center for bringing us such a noteworthy and talented show and the wonderful exposure to the Portuguese culture.
I have been a big fan of Mariza and fado for years and I am so happy to see her expanding her repertoire and growing as a performer. She incorporates Portuguese folk music, Cape Verdean melodies, jazz, and rock elements into her own soulful style of fado. Her voice expresses an incredible range of emotion. Her guitarristas and piano player are super and the drummer is a true genius. It was also fun to see the great crowd of Portuguese people who came out to see her, and and dancers from Ludlow and the yummy pasteis de nata were lots of fun! Viva Portugal!
I love fados . Mariza is a great performer, Although i do not care for her style of singing Fados , She comes across with having alot of passion for her music. I loved her performance yesterday at amherst. I loved her last song (just her singing a Fado along with the guitars no Microphone and that for me made the whole Show. It was the first time I say Mariza although i ahve all her albums. I would recomend her show to anyone that has a love for Fados.
The show BEFORE the show was a great warm-up! Ludlow, Mass. dancers, singers, and musicians gathered in the lobby of the Fine Arts Center surrounded by hundreds of viewers. Colorful, fast-paced dancers swinging in circles with their partners to live accompaniment of accordion, brass, and voice. Delectable pastries from a local Portuguese bakery. A true breath of warmth despite the windy cold evening outside.
MARIZA WAS FANTASTIC AND THE BAND WAS FABULOUS. SOME PARTS OF THE CONCERT MAKES ME FEEL IN LISBON THAT GREAT COSMOPOLITAN CITY AND FOR ME ONE ON THE TOP TEN IN THE WORLD…THE SAD PART WAS WHEN AFTER ALL I DIDN’T SEE ANY CULTURAL PORTUGUESE EVENT BEFORE THE SHOW, ITS TIME THE PORTUGUESE PEOPLE HERE SHOW IN A DIFERENT WAY HOW GRET IS THE PORTUGUESE NATION AND HAVE MORE RESPECT ABOUT OUR CULTURE BECAUSE CENTURIES AND CENTURIES OF HISTORY CANT NOT BE TRAITE WITH A “RANCHO FOCLORICO” THAT’S’ WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE PORTUGUESE CULTURE…GIVE ME A BREAK….
they show was awesome. It really was beautiful to listen to.
Mariza, obrigado. Your voice tranported me back to my childhood. Even if one cannot understand the lyrics, the emotion in your voice is pure and translates in any language to those who listen. I hope you will return to the states again.
This was the second time that I saw Mariza in concert, and it was even better than the first (which completely blew me away!) Her voice and her presence, together with the incredible musicians that accompany her, made for an unforgettable night. I brought my young daughter, who has been listening to Mariza for a few years now (and singing along with her, even though she doesn’t speak Portuguese!), and was so happy to have shared such a wonderful musical experience with her. My only regret is that we somehow didn’t know about the preshow cultural event, and only saw the young Portuguese dancers out in the foyer as we entered the building for the concert. Was that part advertised?
As a young woman of Portuguese descent, and as a sincere fan of Mariza, hearing and seeing her in person again was such a treat! I first saw her perform at a free concert in Central Park many summers ago, and I was enchanted immediately. Since then I have been following her progress and listening to her fados. I surprised my mother and grandmother with tickets, and it was the best surprise ever! Mariza has such a presence, is knowledgeable about her audience, has a great sense of humor, and ofcourse talent and beauty. The show got a 10/10 for entertainment value – the lighting, the amazing percussion, the soothing guitarrada, Mariza’s soulful voice – everything was perfect. Thank you UMass for giving Western MA the present of Mariza!