Songs
Fado World
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- country:Portugal
- region:Lisboa
- style(s):Fado
- label:HM Música - MWF
- type:Band, Solo
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, guitar
- artist contact:HM Música - MWF
Line up
- André Ramos (Viola )
- Ciro Bertini (Baixo )
- Helder Moutinho (Vocals )
- Ricardo Parreira (Portuguese Guitar )
With 31 years of career, Hélder Moutinho is one of the most emblematic and prestigious fadistas today. Singer, composer, and poet, he is a profound connoisseur of the secrets, codes, and mysteries of fado, which he interprets with rare intensity and truth. More than a singer, he is acclaimed by critics as a living reference of fado and one of its most innovative contemporary ambassadors.
His last three albums — 1987, O Manual do Coração, and *Os Dias da Liberdade — received the highest praise from specialized critics and have been considered some of the most important works on fado in the past 30 years.
“Freedom... Os Dias da Liberdade” — Tribute to João Monge
In this performance, Hélder Moutinho reaffirms fado as a powerful tool of social and cultural expression, celebrating the poetry of João Monge and bringing to the present the tradition of songs that uphold human rights, now reinvented in the essence of fado.
He proposes a reflection on life, its values, and its emotions, carrying us on an imaginary journey in which one savours freedom and peace, questioning our purpose in the world.
Above all, it is a fado performance, faithful to its essence, with most of the songs already part of his repertoire. The new compositions — drawn from his three most recent albums — all feature lyrics by João Monge.
The show begins by deconstructing the idea that has lingered in the memory of the Portuguese after the end of the Estado Novo regime, proving that fado has always also been a song of social protest. Afterwards, it dives into the universe of the world’s most beautiful songs.
Human rights have continued to advance, and significant causes — such as the fight against racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and the defence of women’s rights — have achieved many victories. However, there is still much to be done to create a world where respect for others and concrete actions prevail.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Oeiras in 1969, and raised in a family tied to fado for four generations — probably the oldest — he was, from an early age, immersed in the fado gatherings of Cascais and in Lisbon’s typical houses. He grew up hearing and absorbing the whole essence of this song of Lisbon, but his artistic path began in the ’90s, establishing himself first as a lyricist before standing out as a performer.
In 1994, he made his debut in a fado house in Bairro Alto, “Nónó”, and in the “Ciclo de Fados da Mãe de Água” (Lisbon 94 – Capital of Culture). He performed in other fado houses, such as Taverna do Emboçado, A Viela, Parreirinha de Alfama, and, finally, Mesa de Frades.
When his phase in the fado houses seemed to have come to an end, he embraced the challenge of recreating the tertúlias where he began as a lyricist and fadista. Thus were born *Fados no Chapitô*, followed by Braço de Prata and, later, Tasca da Bela.
Meanwhile, he had already released three albums and performed in some of the most important festivals and concert halls, both in Portugal and abroad.
In 2013, he released his first album of original material — 1987 — consolidating himself as one of the most important performers of his generation. In 2016, he released *O Manual do Coração*, widely praised by critics and considered a work of renewal within the fado tradition.
In 2025, he presents Os Dias da Liberdade – Um Tributo a João Monge, a project that reaffirms fado as a tool of social and poetic expression. In celebrating the word and freedom, Hélder reinvents tradition with authenticity and emotion.
His career is also marked by performances on prestigious international stages, collaborations with great names in Portuguese music, and by his role in the preservation and invigorating of fado in Lisbon’s typical houses. Hélder Moutinho is today an essential figure of contemporary fado.
DISCOGRAPHY
Sete Fados e Alguns Cantos* (1999) — Debut album, revealing his distinct voice and the poetic depth of his interpretations.
Luz de Lisboa* (2004) — Winner of the Amália Rodrigues Prize; reaffirms his roots in traditional fado, with a personal vision.
Que Fado É Este Que Trago?* (2008) — A mature work that consolidates his interpretive and poetic style.
1987* (2013) — Considered one of the most important fado albums of the 21st century.
O Manual do Coração* (2016) — Acclaimed by critics and the public; lyrics by João Monge and compositions by great musicians.
Os Dias da Liberdade – Um Tributo a João Monge* (2025) — Celebrates freedom and poetry, reinventing the spirit of protest songs in the essence of fado.
FEATURES & COLLABORATIONS
O Fado e as Canções do Alvim* (2011) — Tribute to the guitarist Fernando Alvim.
Cumplicidades de António Chainho (2015) — Two tracks performed with the master of the Portuguese guitar.
Participation in compilations and soundtracks, such as Exploratory Music from Portugal 05 (2005), Flor do Mar (soap opera, 2009), and Fado World Heritage (2012).
“Estranha Forma de Vida” on the album *Jazz In Fado* — The iconic song gains new life with arrangements by Cuban pianists Iván "Melón" Lewis and Pepe Rivero, accompanied by musicians such as Michael Olivera (drums), Toño Miguel and Mario Carrillo (double bass), and Maureen Choi (violin). Produced by Oscar Gómez and Javi L. Rollán, the album proposes an innovative fusion between fado and Latin jazz.
VENUES & FESTIVALS
Although he does not tour extensively nor perform frequently outside his usual fado houses, Hélder Moutinho has appeared in iconic venues such as:
Galileo Galilei – Madrid, Spain
Palais des Beaux‑Arts (BOZAR) – Brussels, Belgium
Flagey – Brussels, Belgium
Concertgebouw – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vredenburg Zaal – Utrecht, Netherlands
Muziekgebouw Eindhoven – Eindhoven, Netherlands
Casa da Música – Porto, Portugal
Teatro São Luiz – Lisbon, Portugal
Centro Cultural de Belém – Lisbon, Portugal
Teatro Tivoli BBVA – Lisbon, Portugal
Teatro Circo – Braga, Portugal
Lincoln Center – New York, USA
Chicago Cultural Center – Chicago, USA
Centro Cultural de Macau (with Macau Chinese Orchestra) – Macau, China
Ulsan Culture & Arts Center – Ulsan, South Korea
Yoshi’s – San Francisco, USA
Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK) – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Teatro Estúdio – Centro Cultural Júlio Mário Santo Domingo – Bogotá, Colombia
He has also participated in festivals such as:
Festival Santa Casa Alfama (Lisbon), Expo ’98 (Lisbon), Festival de Fado in Latin America, New York Fado Festival, World Music Festival Chicago, Ulsan World Music Festival, Festival Med (Loulé), Festival Imaterial (Évora), Odegang Festival (Ghent), The Lowell Folk Festival, Festa do Fado de Lisboa (Saint George’s Castle), Ciclo de Fados na Mãe de Água (Lisbon 94) and Festival de Fado “Um Porto de Fado” (Porto, 2001).
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Amália Rodrigues Prize — Best Album (2005)
Prestígio Award — Gala do Fado da Voz do Operário (2018)
RECENT PROJECTS
Os Dias da Liberdade – Um Tributo a João Monge* (2025) is Hélder Moutinho’s latest project, in which he reinvents social intervention songs within the language of fado, celebrating freedom and poetic word with depth and relevance.