My Verse, My Voice

A bilingual anthology in Portuguese and English celebrating female authorship and poetry within Portugal's most iconic musical tradition. Curated by scholars Maria de São José Côrte-Real and Maria Espírito Santo (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa), this volume explores the poetic universe and self-authored lyrics of six defining women in Fado: Amália Rodrigues, Aldina Duarte, Mafalda Arnauth, Cuca Roseta, Carminho, and Teresinha Landeiro. Translated into English by Andrzej Stuart-Thompson and illustrated by artist Tamara Alves, it offers international readers a unique bridge between Portuguese literature, song, and female creative expression.

Recommended for: Fado music lovers, English-speaking readers of female poetry, and anyone searching for a unique Portuguese cultural gift in a bilingual edition.

Editorial credits

• Featured Authors: Amália Rodrigues, Aldina Duarte, Mafalda Arnauth, Cuca Roseta, Carminho, Teresinha Landeiro
• Selection & Academic Introduction: Maria Espírito Santo, Maria de São José Côrte-Real
• Translation (Portuguese to English): Andrzej Stuart-Thompson
• Illustrations: Tamara Alves

Synopsis

“My Verse, My Voice reveals the collective strength of a growing number of women who give voice to fado not only as performers, but also as authors of their own poems. Amália Rodrigues, author of celebrated verses and foremother of women’s fado poetry, is joined by five extraordinary artists from the generations who followed her: Aldina Duarte, Mafalda Arnauth, Cuca Roseta, Carminho, and Teresinha Landeiro.

Not only do the verses included in this anthology bring us closer to the written voices of these women fadistas, along with their experiences, emotions, and reflections; they equally challenge the power of patriarchy, which has dominated the literary and musical composition of fado ever since its inception.

Portugal’s social and cultural transformations, in recent decades, are today reflected in the country’s most expressive and traditional musical genre. In this way, fado is renewed by the voices of the women who write it, as they open new paths for its future.”

Highlights

• Dual-language layout featuring original Portuguese lyrics parallel to English translations.
• Collects poetry and song lyrics across six iconic female voices in Fado: Amália Rodrigues, Aldina Duarte, Mafalda Arnauth, Cuca Roseta, Carminho, and Teresinha Landeiro.
• Includes the introductory academic essay "Writerly Voices: Fado in a Feminine Key" by Maria Espírito Santo and Maria de São José Côrte-Real.
• Illustrated throughout by urban artist Tamara Alves.

Specifications

• Language: Bilingual (Portuguese and English)
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176
• Dimensions: 15 x 21 cm
• Weight: 290 g
• Edition: 1st Edition (March 2026)
• ISBN: 978-989-9156-36-4
• EAN: 9789899156364
• Publisher: Shantarin