The Portuguese word Saudade translates as longing. But it means much more than that: it is an attitude to life, a very specific form of world-weariness, full of wistfulness and gentle melancholy. And these also characterize Fado, which has become popular in Germany primarily through strong female voices such as those of Carminho, Mariza or Ana Moura. But António Zambujo, with his gentle and slightly hoarse voice, is also a representative of this emotional singing. However, there are also other influences in his personal style: the song tradition of his home region in southern Portugal, for example, called Cante Alentejano. There are also echoes of the Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim, the inventor of the Bossa nova, for which António Zambujo has a soft spot as well as for the Brazilian Samba.

Under the title "Cidade", the Portuguese songwriter Miguel Araújo has composed a whole series of touching songs especially for António Zambujo, which clothe the everyday life and loneliness of people in a big city in almost unspectacular tones. But it is precisely through their apparent simplicity that these songs unfold their irresistible saudade pull. For the atmospheric opening of the "Eigenzeit" festival, there will be dancing in the foyer with samba, salsa and bachata.

Bernardo Couto

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May 3, 2025

António Zambujo · Duisburger Philharmoniker

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