Mariza

Fado superstar Mariza will be performing in the História Garden.  The 48-year-old Portuguese-Mozambican artist is currently considered one of the greatest ambassadors of Portuguese culture; she is not only an excellent fado singer, but also a diva of the world stage. Her unique music is rooted in fado, but in addition to classical and contemporary pieces her repertoire comprises the morna music of Cape Verde, as well as Brazilian and Spanish classical tunes. She burst onto the world music stage in 2001, since when she has performed in almost all of the major venues around the world, playing music with legends such as Gilberto Gil, Lenny Kravitz and even Sting. She has been nominated for several Latin Grammy Awards, while BBC Radio 3 has recognised her talent by giving her the Best European Artist in World Music award three times.  

• Mariza - vocals
• Luis Guerreiro - portuguese guitar
• Djâmen – acoustic guitar
• Dinga - bass guitar
• João Frade - tango accordion
• João Freitas - percussion

Opening Act

Mónika Lakatos and Mihály Rostás „Mazsi” duo

Door opening: 19:00, opening act starts: 20:00

An exceptional talent of authentic Oláh Romani folk, Mónika Lakatos holds an elemental singing voice and performs with deep, intense emotion. At WOMEX15’s Opening Concert a wider professional audience got a glimpse of one of the brightest stars of Gypsy tradition, her band Romengo has been touring abroad ever since. Mónika’s 2017 solo album Romanimo features slow, heartbreaking hallgato songs with acoustic accompaniment by husband and Romengo founder Mihály “Mazsi” Rostás. The hallgato genre embodies the essence of Oláh Gypsy musical heritage – pain, prayer, passion, these age-old songs paint the portrait of this traditional community. Romanimo was featured on World Music Charts Europe’s list of top 5 albums.