There are fado venues that are simply restaurants with music, and there are venues that nurture fado singers. Sr. Vinho belongs to the second group: the municipal program Lojas com História even calls it an “informal university of fado.” It opened in 1975, and 51 years later, it continues to be led by one of fado’s greatest voices: Maria da Fé, one of its founders.
From the Madragoa Bakery to Rua do Meio in Lapa
The venue was born out of the vision of three people: fado singer Maria da Fé, her husband, the poet José Luís Gordo, and António de Mello Corrêa. Its first location was on Rua das Trinas, in Madragoa, where the venue occupied a former bakery, according to the Fado Guide published by the Fado Museum.
It was so successful that lines out the door became a regular sight, and in 1981, Sr. Vinho moved permanently to number 18 on Rua do Meio à Lapa, where it still operates today.
And the couple running the venue were no ordinary pair. Maria da Fé was born in Porto in 1942 and began her professional career in 1963. José Luís Gordo wrote about 300 poems for fado, most of which were sung by his wife, including “Cantarei até que a voz me doa” (“I’ll Sing Until My Voice Hurts”), one of the fado singer’s best-known songs, according to the Fado Museum.
The house where Ana Moura was heard
Ana Moura’s story is proof that Sr. Vinho also serves as a launching pad. After hearing her sing at a Christmas party for musicians and fado singers, Maria da Fé invited her to perform at her home. It was there that Tozé Brito, from Universal, heard her sing before offering her her first album, *Guarda-me a Vida na Mão*, released in 2003.
A school for fado singers
Ana Moura wasn’t the only one. Mariza, Camané, Aldina Duarte, and António Zambujo were also part of the venue’s lineup, according to Maria da Fé’s biography at the Fado Museum. José Luís Gordo also wrote lyrics for several of these artists, including Camané, Mariza, and Ana Moura.
In 2004, Sr. Vinho received the Casa de Fado Award from Casa da Imprensa, and today it is a “Store with History.” Maria da Fé remains the artistic director, and fado is performed Monday through Saturday, with a rotating lineup of performers. If you like fado, be sure to also visit the house where Amália Rodrigues lived.
Useful Information
Where: Rua do Meio à Lapa, 18, Lisbon
When: Monday through Saturday, in the evening
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