Mariza to Return to Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 10/23

Fado sensation and Latin GRAMMY Award winner Mariza performs at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7:30 pm, part of her 2013 self-titled world tour covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. This marks Mariza's second visit to the Harris Theater since her debut in 2007, and just one of two Midwest stops during her tour in the U.S.

Hailing from Lisbon, Portugal, the three-time GRAMMY-nominated singer is celebrated as one of Fado music's biggest stars. Fado - known for its rich, soulful vocals - originated in Portugal in the early 19th century. Boasting a low, mesmerizing alto "as commanding as any pop singer today" (Rolling Stone), Mariza has been described as "the Diva of World Music" by the Guardian and is a three-time BBC Award winner for Best European Artist. She has sold more than 1 million records worldwide and has performed at the Paris Olympia, the Frankfurt Opera, the London Royal Festival Hall, the Amsterdam Le Carré, the Barcelona Palau de la Música, the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where she had a stage setting especially designed for her by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

"As a solo artist, Mariza is one of the world's most exciting and in-demand performers," said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. "Her expressive range is one of the most unique musical experiences that audiences will ever have the privilege to hear. The Harris is thrilled to welcome her back during its 10th season, and to be an exclusive Midwest stop during her world tour."

Mariza's first album release in 2001, Fado em mim (Fado in me), went quadruple platinum in Portugal and thrust her onto the international music scene. In 2002, at the Quebec Summer Festival, she received the First Award for Most Outstanding Performance. That same year she performed in New York's Central Park, the Hollywood Bowl, the WOMAD Festival, the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon and the Purcell Room on London's South Bank.

After dazzling British audiences with her performance on Jools Holland's legendary television show, Mariza was awarded the BBC Radio 3 Award Best European World Music Artist in March 2003. After the release of her second album, Fado Curvo (Curved Fado), German critics awarded her the Deutsche Schalplatten Kritik Award and the album reached number 6 on the Top Billboard of World Music. On a succession of tours in Europe and North America, she performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon and the Théâtre de La Ville in Paris. Foreign journalists in Portugal voted her "Personality of the Year" in 2003.

Mariza's Harris Theater program features songs that have never been played live, along with some of her favorite songs from artists that have impacted her career. The program includes musical accompaniment by band members José Manuel Neto (Portugese Guitar), Pedro Jóia (Guitar), Yami (Bass Guitar) and Vicky Marques (Drums).

Tickets to the performance are $40-$55 and are on sale now at the Harris Theater Box Office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or online at www.HarrisTheaterChicago.org.

Photo by Isabel Pinto

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