In a World That Sings Together, Music is Bridging Cultural Chasms Click Here to go back. New York Times, In a World That Sings Together, Music is Bridging Cultural Chasms >> By JON PARELES Portugal Portugal's national pride is tied up in fado (fate), with its songs that reflect on destiny and loss. The ghost of Amalia Rodrigues, the great fado singer of her generation who died in 1999, hovers over younger fado singers. They have learned from her sweetly tragic voice and her pristine backup of high, plucked Portuguese guitar. Three of those disciples have recent albums: Mariza's "Fado en Mim" (Times Square), Christina Branco's "Corpo Iluminado" (Decca) and Mísia's "Ritual" (Erato). All three project a sense of high purpose and tearful resolution. Mariza, who was born in Mozambique but grew up in Portugal, varies her backup now and then with touches of jazz and percussion. Ms. Branco lets an occasional upbeat song into her repertory. But Mísia makes both of them sound complacent; her voice finds every atom of drama in her songs, and she's not afraid to sound unpretty if it makes her songs more vivid. 07/05/02 Click Here to go back.