The origin of fado has been the subject of numerous interpretations: some place it in Eastern influences, others in the songs of slaves brought to Brazil, accompanied by the whisper of the ocean. For Vasco Wellenkamp, ​​creator of AMARAMÁLIA, what is truly essential is not so much its origin as the emotion and dramatic force with which this genre came into the world through the inimitable voice of Amália Rodrigues.

The creative process of the work starts from a very particular musical structure: the selected fados are intertwined with a collage of other pieces that emerge between the silences and the gestures, expanding the emotional depth of each fragment.

AMARAMÁLIA is conceived as an imaginary projection, a ceremony without time or defined characters. Its atmosphere evokes the dark geometry of Lisbon's alleyways and taverns, a shadowy space that opens up to a light of uncertain origin.

On stage, the great human passions resurface: sadness, separation, estrangement, escape, the desire for freedom. The dramaturgy reflects the spirit of the chosen poems and is guided by Amália's artistic imprint, whose interpretations serve as raw material for the choreographic expression. The work originates as a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary figure who transformed fado into a universal art form and an enduring symbol of cultural identity.

The work will be performed by the Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo (CPBC), a leading contemporary dance company in Portugal. Founded in 1998 by Vasco Wellenkamp and Graça Barroso, it was established with the aim of being an original repertoire company—a space where choreographers, dancers, creators, and performers from diverse disciplines can research, develop, and consolidate their artistic languages.