Madredeus

Madredeus
Madredeus in a concert at Aveiro (2005).
Background information
Genres	World music Folk
Years active	1985–present
Labels	EMI, Sony Music
Associated acts	Teresa Salgueiro
Members	Pedro Ayres Magalhães Carlos Maria Trindade Beatriz Nunes Jorge Varrecoso António Figueiredo Jorge Clode
Past members	Teresa Salgueiro Rodrigo Leão Francisco Ribeiro Gabriel Gomes Fernando Júdice José Peixoto
Notable instruments
classical guitar

Madredeus (Portuguese pronunciation: [maðɾɨˈðewʃ]) is a Portuguese musical ensemble. Their music combines traditional Portuguese music (which is sometimes erroneously associated with the subgenre of fado) with influences of modern folk music. The lyrics are often melancholy, related to the sea or travelling or absence, continuing a tradition of songs dating back to Medieval times (with obvious connection to cantigas de amigo among others).

Madredeus founding members were Pedro Ayres Magalhães (classical guitar), Rodrigo Leão (keyboard synthesizer), Francisco Ribeiro (cello), Gabriel Gomes (accordion) and Teresa Salgueiro (vocals). Magalhães and Leão formed the band in 1985, Ribeiro and Gomes joined in 1986. In search of a female singer, they found Teresa Salgueiro in one of Lisbon's night clubs. Teresa agreed to join and, in 1987, Madredeus recorded their first album, Os dias da Madredeus.

The first album was recorded in their rehearsal space, a converted abbey in Lisbon. The recording was especially strenuous due to deafening interruptions every 5 minutes from Lisbon's tram service, which ran directly above. In honour of this unavoidable presence in their every performance, they named themselves after the surrounding neighborhood, Madre de Deus (Mother of God), shortened to the vernacular Madredeus.

In 1993, Pedro Ayres Magalhães left the band temporarily and was replaced in live concerts by José Peixoto (classical guitar). Magalhães rejoined the group later, making it a sextet with two guitarists.