Music is language. Nowhere else is that more obvious than in Portuguese, where a single word became the key to an entire culture of music: «Saudade». Happiness mixed with sadness is the blues of the Portuguese and Brazilians. Mariza in the old world, and Eliane Elias in the new world, have internalized saudade, it is in their DNA, and it rings in every sound they sing or play. Their audience learned to be sad with a smile and to cry with joy. And what’s more, they experienced an evening of painful melodies and healing rhythms: Therapy for the soul…

Beat Blaser