By David Rubien

Mariza, 8 p.m., Oct. 22, Calvin Simmons Theatre, Oakland

Every few years a singer emerges from somewhere around the world who distills his or her musical culture to such a profound extent that he or she escapes national boundaries to become an international superstar. Cesaria Evora, from Cape Verde, is a good example. So is Cuba's Omara Portuondo.

Now from Portugal comes a 26-year-old marvel named Mariza who sings fado, that country's version of folk or blues. Expect her to be around for a long time.

I had the opportunity to watch a video featuring snippets of her in performance, and it was riveting to see how totally consumed she becomes by the sad songs she sings. Tall and lithe with an oval face, arched eyebrows and lacquered blond cornrows, she seems almost to be from another world. Her voice appears to be a unique instrument indigenous to the tango-like, waltz-like fado, but at one point in the video she jokingly breaks into a verse of "Respect," sounding so much like Aretha Franklin -- not just in the intonation but the power, as well -- I could hardly believe it.

Go see Mariza, and be prepared to weep.