Grupo de Fados ISEP

The ISEP Fado Group was born in the late 1990s with the first formation that would perform at the Academy in the 1991 "Sarau da Queima das Fitas" in Porto at the Rivoli Theater. Thus, a new Academic group was launched which, with two vocalists, two Portuguese guitars and two violas, interpreted Fado.

However, a new formation emerges with more ambitious and defined objectives, based on the common pleasure of romanticism that a fado serenade brings. For some years, themes were played and sung in their own way and with a growing sense of evolution. We can say that this was a “learning” to which we dedicate ourselves with vigorous commitment.

With this formation we are experiencing the generation of Fado groups that have emerged in the meantime, such as the Fado Group at the Catholic University and the Fado Group of Sciences - U.P., in what we can call the “Generation of 90”. The meeting of groups in small gatherings, which were repeated periodically, gave rise to an evolution of players and performers and what we consider most important - themes of Fado from Porto and for the Academy of Porto. It is in this search for a new sound and new paths that the theme “Adeus Saudade” - Farewell party ISEP 97 arises, presented at the Monumental Serenade of "Queima das Fitas" in Porto and which in December 1998 would name the Group's 1st record.

The following courses were born from there, heirs of a consolidation of knowledge and with a pre-defined work methodology, already have several originals dedicated to Porto, our city, our Institute and our Academy, in a paid tribute of references and influences felt in this dawn of our academic.

It was based on this innovative spirit and the search for new directions for the Academic Fado that arose in Porto, that the ISEP Fado Group, together with its Students Association, conceived and implemented the “I Grande Noite do Fado Académico" at ISEP , in an unprecedented initiative that brought together academies and generations of the always loved Fado de Coimbra.

In 2009, the “XI Grande Noite do Fado Académico” follows the example of the tenth edition (homage to Adriano Correia de Oliveira) and includes in its cultural program a week dedicated to the honoree and entitled “Homage to Francisco de Vasconcelos”.

The “Tempo de Homenagem” initiative takes on an inter-institutional character that inscribes the work of the honoree and his life journey starting from Fado as a present and permanent thing. Appealing to new visions and assuming the risks of this decision, the ISEP Fado Group invited schools and personalities from different fields of knowledge to produce work on the life and work of Francisco de Vasconcelos.

In this context, a biographical photo exhibition (“À procura de um Fado” - Olivia da Silva - ESMAE), a film (“À procura de um Fado” - Jorge Campos - ESMAE), a graphic line (Catarina, Diogo and Rafael - ESAD), a book (“Poemas Brancos” - Francisco de Vasconcelos), two double albums (“Coimbra o Fado e eu”, complete musical work by Francisco de Vasconcelos; “Hora Torguiana” - ISEP Fado Group with participation of Northern Orchestra), Tile Collection “Francisco de Vasconcelos, O Fado and Porto” (40 pieces + one - Adosinda Pereira), open class sessions and conferences. In pre-publication is a photographic album, a CD and two DVDs centered on the "XI Grande Noite do Fado Académico" and awaiting funding.

In this cultural production, the “Fado Session for the Deaf - Silêncio Fado Silêncio” emerges with particular emphasis, which follows a path in which Fado, as a collective heritage, meets those who feel it without hearing it.

In 2010, the itinerancy of “Tempo de Homenagem a Francisco de Vasconcelos” was received by the Fado Museum and will follow a national itinerant program. On the 6th of November the 12th Great Academic Fado Night will take place at the Alfandega Building in Porto and the 3rd Honoree Week (6th to 14th of November) at the Literary Club of Porto.

Source:

Text prepared by the ISEP Fado Group