Fado Route

15 June 1928 - 29 March 1990 (Compositor)

Son of a French couple living in Portugal, Alain Oulman was one of the most important composers in the history of fado. Fascinated by the voice of Amália, he created some of his greatest pieces for her, such as "Gaivota", "Com que Voz" and "Maria Lisboa". During his career, Amália recorded 22 of his compositions over eight albums. Besides his talent, Oulman also introduced Portuguese erudite poetry into fado, creating a precedent that would forever mark its development.

13 March 1909 - 23 October 1971 (Composer)

A chemist by profession but a musician by heart, Alberto Janes wrote some of Amália Rodrigues's most successful songs, such as "Foi Deus", "Vou dar de beber à dor" and "É ou não é". Some of the diva's most popular albums consist entirely of songs that he wrote. A musician of rare talent, his legacy continued to be felt in fado, above all during the 1970s and ‘80s.

13 August 1937 (Singer)

For Ada de Castro, fado is not what is sung, but what "is in the throat of those who sing" and this fado singer indeed always sang with intense feeling and a distinctive style. During her career, she recorded over 560 songs, amongst which fado and parade music. Included amongst her countless successes are songs like "Rosa caída", "Cigano" and "Deste-me um cravo encarnado".

29 February 1920 - 6 October 1999 (Singer and composer)

Alfredo Rodrigo Duarte was commonly known by the name Alfredo Marceneiro due to his profession as a carpenter. He began by singing fado at the folk dances he frequented, still at a very young age, but only dedicated himself exclusively to fado at the age of 48. Marceneiro stood out for his idiosyncratic fado style, singing the lyrics in his own way and appearing before the public with his hands in his pockets and a silk scarf around his neck. He was also a composer and some of the pieces he wrote are today considered classics of the fado genre.

23 July 1920 - 6 October 1999 (Singer)

With an unmistakable voice and exceptional singing talent, Amália Rodrigues became an icon. She is acknowledged to be fado's most important ambassador, having sung on every continent during a career that began in 1939 and spanned almost 50 years. By adopting more sophisticated compositions and lyricists into her repertoire, Amália also made an important contribution to the modernisation of fado.