March 24, 2009

Mariza to bring Portuguese Fado music to Purdue stage

The concert is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its World Stage series.  Convocations also is sponsoring a pre-show discussion by Sílvia Oliveira, assistant professor of Portuguese at Purdue, who will discuss Mariza and the latest generation of Fado singers, including the genre's origins in Lisbon and the influence of Amália Rodrigues, who is known as the Queen of Fado. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. April 14 in Stewart Center, Room 318.

Like American blues, traditional Fado features sultry, sorrowful songs mourning lost love or working-class struggles. Supported by an acoustic ensemble, Mariza transforms the poetic laments into works of expression that have regained international recognition for the music form, said Abby Eddy, director of marketing for Purdue Convocations.

After her first album went multi-platinum in Portugal in 2001, Mariza ascended to superstar status on the world music scene. She has received the First Award for Most Outstanding Performance at the Quebec Summer Festival, was named Best European World Music Artist by BBC Radio 3, and is now making waves in the United States with her performances.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $19 for those 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets.  Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at 765-496-1977.

Writer: Christy Jones, 765-494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Abby Eddy, 765-494-5045, aeeddy@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Photos:

Publication-quality photos of Mariza are available at https://www.purdue.edu/convocations/marizaimages.shtml

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