The festival is set to take place on various stages throughout the Lisbon neighborhood of Alfama on September 26 and 27. Stages include the churches of S. Miguel and St.º Estêvão, with the line-ups announced today.
At the Church of S. Miguel, on September 26, Diana Vilarinho and Sara Paixão will perform, followed by Rão Kyao and Diogo Ferreira on September 27. At the Church of St.º Estêvão, Miguel Moura and Maria Emília will take the stage on September 26, with Francisco Moreira and Carolina Varela Ribeiro performing the next day.
Diana Vilarinho first participated in this festival in 2008, the year she won the Grande Noite do Fado de Lisboa. In 2021, she released her debut album with contributions from Ricardo Ribeiro and Carminho.
Sara Paixão was part of the cast at the fado house Senhor Vinho in Lisbon, led by fadista Maria da Fé and poet José Luís Gordo. According to the Museu do Fado website, she is “one of the most promising voices of the new generation.” The 33-year-old fadista released her debut album last year, featuring traditional fados and songs by Vinicius de Moraes, Tozé Brito, and Matias Damásio.
Also performing at S. Miguel on September 27 are guitarist and fadista Diogo Ferreira and musician Rão Kyao.
Diogo Ferreira, 25, began studying Portuguese guitar at 13 and debuted at this event last year.
Rão Kyao released the album “Fado Bambu (O Som da Palavra)” in March, featuring themes tied to classic fado and original compositions related to the genre. This album marked his return to fado, with more than 40 albums released, including “Fado Bailado” (1983).
The lineup at the Church of St.º Estêvão includes Miguel Moura and Maria Emília on September 26, with Francisco Moreira and Carolina Varela Ribeiro the following day.
Miguel Moura, 24, was formerly part of the band Os Dona Zéfinha and participated in the television contest “All Together Now.” He will perform songs, including “Rainha.”
Maria Emília, from São Paulo and the daughter of a Portuguese guitarist, gained recognition with her album “Casa de Fado” (2008), which includes the tracks “Fado Enamorado,” “Queira Deus,” and “Um Dia Cheguei-me a Ti.”
The Museu do Fado describes Francisco Moreira as “a prominent name in the new generation of fado.” He released his debut album “Lugar” in 2023, showcasing his skills as a composer and lyricist. The album also includes works by Marco Oliveira, João Gil, João Monge, João Couto, Vidal Assis, Pedro Martins, and Yuri Reis.
Carolina Varela Ribeiro performed at Caixa Alfama last year. The daughter of fadistas Ana Sofia Varela and Ricardo Ribeiro, she has been singing from a young age and has been part of the cast of several Lisbon fado houses.
Fadistas Gisela João, Katia Guerreiro, and Marco Rodrigues were previously announced for this year’s edition of Caixa Alfama, which will pay tribute to Maria da Fé. With over 50 years of career, Maria da Fé is known for hits like “Lençóis de Palha,” “Fado Errado,” “Cantarei até que a voz me doa,” and “Valeu a pena.”
The television program “Em Casa d’Amália” will be recorded live during the Festival, as is customary, and will be dedicated to the fadista born 82 years ago in Porto, where she began singing at age nine in a recreational association in the Sé neighborhood.
