Multi-Grammy nominated Mariza brought an exciting evening of Portuguese fado music to the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Singing in Portuguese and engaging the audience in both English and Portuguese, she added to her fan base with her dynamic vocal range, passion, and beautiful stylings. Amazing, is the best word to describe her thrilling performance!

Mariza

We had the pleasure of attending Mariza's concert at the Quick Center for the Arts on Sunday, October 23, 2016, where she packed the house with a mixed age audience. Since 2001, Mariza has risen on the music scene, earning multiple Latin Grammy® nominations for her albums including her latest release, Mundo, which means "world" in Portuguese. Along the way she has earned 30 Platinum awards, won the BBC Radio's Best European World Music Award three times, and has performed throughout the world introducing traditional fado music, which has been around for the last 80-100 years, to new audiences and connecting with longtime fans of this music. 

Mariza opened the concert by singing acapella before addressing the audience in Portuguese and then in English, stating that it was a pleasure for her to be there. From the cheers from the audience, it was clearly a pleasure for them to have her there as well. For those not familiar with fado music, Mariza explained that the old melodies are about exploration, exploring saudade, the Portuguese word for longing for a person or for one's country that they left behind, exploring love, jealousy, lots of different types of feelings, including happiness. 

Mariza and her Band

Joined by her band, José Manuel Neto on Portuguese guitar, Pedro Jóia on classic guitar, Yami on acoustic bass, and Vicky Marques on drums and percussion, Mariza created a memorable evening of music taking the audience on an exciting journey of traditional fado music that consisted of old time favorites and selections off her latest 14-track release, Mundo, which was 5 years in the making. Recently married, and a new mother of a beautiful baby son, Mariza said that "music is to share, to have fun, and to go home happier than when you arrived." She clearly achieved that goal whether conversing with the audience throughout the performance or while singing the songs she was born to sing. 

Mariza

Born in Mozambique and raised in Lisbon, Portugal from the age of 3, Mariza has a rich cultural diversity that adds to the overall experience. She has an amazing voice and a wide vocal range that allows her to gently and elegantly caress lyrics or powerfully belt out the passionate high notes, all while captivating audiences with her stage presence.  

A few of the many performance highlights included the songs, Alma, Soldade Solta, and Caprichosa, off her Mundo release. While many of the songs Mariza performed were written expressly for her, she beautifully covered the 1930 tango song, Caprichosa, originally performed by Carlos Gardel. 

Mariza

Closing with a standing ovation from the sold-out house, Mariza and the band returned for one more song Paixão, off the Mundo release, to sustain the audience until the next time. Attending the concert at the Quick Center for the Arts was our first introduction to Mariza and fado music and she completely captivated us with her passion, presence, and excitement as a performer. While this was our first introduction to Mariza and fado music, it will not be our last. In parting, if you can go and see this incredibly gifted singer perform, do so; you will be glad that you did. In the meantime, pick up the Mundo CD and get ready to fall in love with Mariza and fado music. 

Conveniently located in Fairfield, Connecticut, the Quick Center for the Arts is a 30-minute drive from Greenwich and New Haven, a 60-minute drive from Hartford, and a 90-minute drive from New York City. 

The Quick Center for the Arts has an extensive program of theatre, dance, opera, classic, and jazz series, as well as family productions throughout the year. 

Edward F. Nesta and Debra C. Argen
Mariza Concert
Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University

A few of the many exciting upcoming programs at the Quick Center for the Arts include: 

Concerts 

Dance: 

For tickets or information, please call: +1-203-254-4010 or toll-free: 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). 

Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
United States
Telephone:       +1-203-254-4010
Toll-Free:        +1-877-ARTS-396
Email:              This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it               
Website:          www.QuickCenter.com 
Facebook:        www.Facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter 

Follow Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter 

Follow Mariza on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MarizaOficial 

For information on Mariza and upcoming international performances, please visit the website: www.Mariza.com  

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