fado ao centro

MsKuok

I listen to Fado quite often but I've never really get the chance to know the history behind it. What Fado ao Centro presents to the public is a unique style of Fado, a tradition that only passed to the male students in the University of Comibra. I visited there with my family and I was expecting the performance to be very commercialized, since the centre was located at the heart of the tourist site. However, their touching performance proved that I was wrong and totally drove my prejudice away! The whole experience was similar to the idea of a black box theatre. The music, story telling, lighting, interaction between the performers and the audiences..... Everything was done perfectly! At the end of the performance you can also enjoy a glass of delicious free Port wine! I brought one of their CDs after the show and I still listen to it till now. I would say this is one of my most memorable experiences in the city of Coimbra!

JohannesK281

A great place to experience Coimbra's long musical heritage (which is quite different from the lisboneta fado) Great concerts organized by this local cultural association, interesting fado related exhibitions and local records on sale. Really enjoyed the music and performances and looking forward to visit Fado ao Centro again.

kwschan

This was my first experience with fado and my best. The singing and the guitarists was really good. The best thing is that they showed a passion to their arts and really wanted to spread it and educate us about it. I learned a lot about fado and Portuguese culture by going to this performance. It totally worth the 10 euro!

CaroleAshbourne_

We visited Coimbra in November with friends and this was one of the first places we were Encouraged to go and see.Three men two playing guitar and one singingTelling a story about the history of men serenading women at the UniversityAt the end we were served port and biscuitsIt was a great way to spend an evening wouldn't have missed it

Norielle

I loved the visit to the Fado ao Centro. Coimbran fado is quite special, and not only because only men are allowed to sing it. I like the fact the centre provides a visitor with a full experience that helps them understand the fado and all of its rich history and tradition. The concert begins with an introductory movie after which a singer and two gitar players perform. Each song is explained both in English and Portuguese beforehand to put it into context. It was a great experience and I think it's much better than fado in a restaurant which can be quite demanding because you have to put your cutlery down, stop eating and listen. Here there are no distractions and you can fully enjoy the fado.

Euphues

This performance was well worth the entrance fee of 10 euros per person. The three performers were not just outstanding musicians--one man on the Spanish six-string guitar, one on the Portuguese three-string guitar, and a singer--their performance was at times electrifying. We'd been to a free fado performance in a nearby cafe the previous day, and Fado ao Centro quite eclipsed it.

grahamw360

It was so good to hear this music in an intimate setting, not as a performance for tourists but as a shared cultural experience.

vinrogue58

It was perhaps 2 years ago when I last went to this performance, I have read my last review and a couple of things have changed. You can take photographs but no Flash photographs or video recordings are permitted during the performance. Two years ago it was Port and Cheese at the end of the performance, the cheese has been replaced with biscuits but the Port was still excellent!I would recommend this experience to any English speaking travellers to this amazing City and of course Portuguese travellers too. The whole presentation from start to finish is informative, uplifting and intimate.We did arrive 10 minutes early and got very good seats. For 10 Euros this is without doubt excellent value for money and no doubt in a couple of years I will return again as I liked it that much.

Zippi_11

like the music, instrumental as vocal; 50 minutes of lovely time. seats are less comfortable. porto wine which was served at the end was good.

MorningGirl1

Was uplifting not depressing, fun. Although the venue was very dark to be eating at and they need the shush some locals, it was worth it.

liwoodco

The experience was just great, and is well worth the cost. You can pick your tickets up ahead of time, which makes is easier when the show is starting. The line forms around 5:30pm, although we arrived at 5:45pm, and still had good seats. There are helpful intros and explanations of the history and traditions during the show, and the singers and guitarists are wonderful. They do all the explanations in Portugese, English, and I think German. They invite the audience to sing along to a couple songs, which was disappointing to me... I loved the main singer's voice, and did not care for the tourists nearby me warbling along with their own interpretations. They invite you to enjoy a port afterwards in the courtyard, where the performers mingle and answer questions. CDs are available for purchase (10 or 15 euros each, can pay with VISA).

leekm

I'll share more about those who may have made a day trip here from other cities as I have. This show starts (6 pm) and ends early (50 minutes) so you have time to catch the transport back - in my case, to Porto. Many other fado shows start quite late!Be careful of the transport timings - especially the bus - as the exceptions are in Portugese. I actually did not plan to stay and watch as I wanted to get back earlier. But I'm glad I did.Well, fado done by a male voice makes for an interesting comparison to female ones. Senhor Joao Farinha puts on a nice show, explaining the history of fado and leads the audience to sing "Coimbra" or more famously "April in Portugal" at the end. He has a great voice, employs it tastefully and overall it was a wonderful experience. A must experience!The video clip I captured will be played many times! Or you can check out other video clips online.

baab49

The guitar players and singers were great! The intimate setting added to the enjoyment as we felt drawn into the fado world of music in Coimbra. Was sorry when the last song finished.....will return. Highly recommend this introduction to fado.

EtobicokeTraveller

This is a great introduction to fado. There is a performance in the evening for about 45 minutes. The musicians are very good and introduce the audience to fado. After we went to the courtyard and enjoyed a glass of port. It was a very nice experience in a lovely city.

CatRob_12

A wonderful hour can be spent here learning about Fado. They did a great job introducing Fado music, explaining the history and different types and uses of the music. The musicians were most talented, and the whole company and hour spent WELL worth a visit. A must for all.