by Simon Broughton

As Mariza entered to tumultuous applause at the Royal Albert Hall, tall and blonde in a striking black dress, it was hard to believe it was only spring 2002 when she gave one of her first London concerts – reviewed by Evening Standard – in Momo’s tiny Kemia Bar.

Since then she’s come a long way, reaching star status in Portugal and gaining a huge international audience.  She began with some of her most popular numbers – such as Maria Lisboa – backed by a string orchestra conducted by Brazilian cellist and producer Jacques Morelembaum.

Glorious stuff, but with the cavernous acoustics you couldn’t help longing for the intimate atmosphere that suits fado best.  Mariza brought several “friends” with her, the first of whom was Carlos do Carmo, a great male fado singer of the older generation who, with Mariza’s three guitarists, made the evening more relaxed, intimate and spontaneous.  He engaged the audience and even got them singing along.

Mariza’ other guests were the sultry Cape Verdean singer Tito Paris and Ruti Veloso, virtually unknown in the UK, but absolutely huge in Portugal. 

This was a concert that could happen nowhere else but London with a sizeable audience of Portuguese expats and a larger local crowd who could enjoy their enthusiasm.