The band's founding members were Pedro Ayres Magalhães (Classical guitar), Rodrigo Leão (keyboard synthesizer), Francisco Ribeiro (cello) and Teresa Salgueiro (vocals). Magalhães and Leão formed the band in 1985, Ribeiro joined in 1986. They'd been searching for a female singer, and found Teresa Salgueiro in one of Lisbon's night clubs. Teresa liked their music and agreed to join, so in 1987 Madredeus recorded their first album, Os dias da Madredeus.
The first album was recorded in their rehearsal space, a disused abbey in Lisbon (Convento da Madredeus. 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 line's nearby terminus, 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.
They released several albums and became very popular in Portugal, but remained relatively unknown outside the country. This changed in 1994 when Wim Wenders, impressed by their music, asked Madredeus to perform in his movie Lisbon Story - the soundtrack gave the band international fame. Thanks to that, Madredeus spread their wings to the world and conquered fans from all over Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.
In 1994 Rodrigo Leão left the band to start a solo career, being replaced by Carlos Maria Trindade (keyboard synthesizer).
In 1997 Francisco Ribeiro and Gabriel Gomes left the band as Madredeus' style started abandoning its fado roots with the release of O Paraíso. At this time Fernando Júdice (Acoustic bass guitar) was invited to join them, to form the current lineup, again a quintet. Madredeus has sold over 3 million albums worldwide.
In 2007 Teresa Salgueiro announced she would be leaving the band in order to pursue her personal solo projects.
In 2008, with a new formation and under the name of Madredeus & a Banda Cósmica, they released Metafonia.
In April 2012 Madredeus announced its new album Essencia. This album is a travel through Madredeus music for 25 years since it was formed. Madredeus announced too its new formation, composed of Beatriz Nunes (singer), Pedro Ayres de Magalhães (guitar), Carlos Maria Trinidade (synthesizer), Jorge Varrecoso (violin), Antonio Figueirido (violin) and Luis Clode (cello). With this new formation Pedro Ayres said in an interview: "The melody is much more supported, without losing harmonic and rhythmic sense and keeps walking Madredeus".
Discography
* Os Dias da MadreDeus (1987)
* Existir (1990)
* Lisboa (1992, live in Lisbon)
* O Espírito da Paz (1994)
* Ainda (1995, soundtrack from Lisbon Story)
* O Paraíso (1997)
* O Porto (1998, live at Porto)
* Antologia (2000, a compilation of 'best of' material)
* Movimento (2001)
* Palavras Cantadas (2001)
* Euforia (2002)
* Electrónico (2002)
* Um Amor Infinito (2004)
* Faluas do Tejo (2005)
* Obrigado (2006)
* Metafonia (2008)
* Essencia (2012)
* Capricho Sentimental (2015)
http://www.madredeus.com
Céu Da Mouraria
Madredeus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quando Lisboa acordar
Do sono antigo que é seu
Hei-de ser eu a cantar
Que eu tenho um recado só meu
Céu da Mouraria... ouve
Vai chegar o dia novo!
Névoa de um povo a sonhar
Os teus mistérios, Lisboa
São, as pombas que ainda há...
The lyrics of Madredeus's song Céu da mouraria convey a sense of hope and renewal for the city of Lisbon. The singer pledges to be the one to sing when the city awakens from its ancient slumber, proclaiming that they have a message all of their own. The Mouraria neighborhood of Lisbon is invoked, and its sky is called upon to listen, as a new day is set to arrive. The singer speaks of the new dawn, with the sun peeping through the foggy mornings of a people dreaming. Lisbon's mysteries are referred to, and the doves that still remain are called its own.
Through its lyrics, the song evokes a deep sense of longing and yearning for a better future. The mention of the Mouraria neighborhood, in particular, holds a special significance, as it is considered one of the most historic and culturally rich areas of Lisbon. The lyrics draw their inspiration from the city's history and legacy, and express a deep reverence for its enduring charm.
Overall, "Céu da Mouraria" is a deeply moving and soulful song that captures the essence of Lisbon's timeless appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
When Lisbon wakes up
When the city of Lisbon awakens from its slumber
From its ancient sleep
From its long, deep sleep of the past
I'll be the one singing
I will be the one to share my message through music
For I have a message of my own
For I have something unique to say that is mine alone
Sky of Mouraria... listen
Oh sky over Mouraria, please pay attention
A new day will come
A new dawn will soon arrive
And the sun, from all the early mornings
And the sun, from every early morning that has ever occurred
Fog of a dreaming people
Will clear the fog of the dreaming people
Your mysteries, Lisbon
The mysteries of Lisbon
Are the doves that still remain...
Are the peaceful doves that still fly around the city.
Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.