Alfredo Marceneiro

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Alfredo Marceneiro · Alfredo Rodrigo Duarte was born in Lisbon in 1891 and died there in 1982. His stage name Marceneiro comes from his original trade: the Portuguese word means cabinetmaker. He sang fado, the Portuguese music of longing and fate, and is still regarded as a yardstick for generations of fado singers.

Music and breakthrough

Marceneiro wrote the music of his songs himself. The lyrics mostly came from others, such as Silva Tavares and Henrique Rêgo. His best-known songs include A Casa da Mariquinhas, Sinas, Rainha Santa and Moinho Desmantelado. The music is usually simple, in a calm 2/4 time, played on string instruments, the Portuguese guitar and the ordinary guitar.

Influence

His way of singing was distinctive. His voice was on the verge of breaking. He sang calmly, almost in the manner of a storyteller, and rarely let rip. He usually stood with both hands in his trouser pockets. It was precisely this restrained manner that made an impression: the feeling lies in the voice itself, not in the gesture. After his death he was posthumously awarded a Portuguese honour in 1984, the Order of Infante D. Henrique.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1972Alfredo Marceneiro e o fado
• 1972Nos tempos em que eu cantava
• 2007Há Festa Na Mouraria
• 2011The Fabulous Marceneiro (O Fabuloso Marceneiro)
• ?O Fado Do Público 4