With 18 albums released, almost 30 years of career and countless concerts worldwide, Cristina Branco is a true ambassador of Portuguese culture. Traditional music is her main aesthetic root, but the influence of jazz, literature, and the musicians she shares the stage with give her art a universal character and sublime charm.
Her work is a significant contribution to the dissemination and defense of Portuguese music, language, and authors. In her albums, Cristina gives voice to different generations of authors such as António Lobo Antunes, Maria do Rosário Pedreira, José Afonso, Manuela de Freitas, José Mário Branco, Sérgio Godinho, Pedro da Silva Martins, Mário Laginha, Teresinha Landeiro, Jorge Cruz, Francisca Cortesão, among many others.
She began her artistic journey in the Netherlands with ‘Cristina Branco in Holland’ (1997), an album that turned into a true success in that country. In the following years, her name resonated throughout Europe, with sold-out dates in numerous cities. Her subsequent works, ‘Murmúrios’ (1998) and ‘Post-Scriptum’ (2000), reinforced this good moment, and Cristina was awarded two Prix Choc by the magazine Le Monde de La Musique.
Following are ‘Abril’ (2007), an album with versions of songs by José Afonso, ‘Kronos’ (2009), and ‘Fado Tango’ (2011), the iconic tenth studio album, which features collaborations with various renowned Portuguese authors and anticipates Cristina’s artistic resurgence, which would come a few years later with ‘Menina’. Considered the Best Album of the Year by the Portuguese Authors Society (SPA), ‘Menina’ (2016) is the first chapter of a trilogy that includes ‘Branco’ (2018) and ‘Eva’ (2020). In these works, Cristina Branco gathers unusual collaborations, crossing styles and genres, resulting in unique and innovative interpretations of fado.
In 2022 – celebrating her 25th career anniversary – Cristina Branco had more than 40 concerts throughout Europe and released ‘Amoras numa Tarde de Outono’, an album in collaboration with pianist João Paulo Esteves da Silva.
Her most recent album, “Mãe“, released in 2023, is a unique musical creation, in which Cristina Branco lends her singular and expressive voice to a variety of composers, as has been her artistic tradition. On record and live, Mãe offers the public an original repertoire that takes us on an engaging journey of rediscovering fado, exploring its emotional depths and nuances. “Senhora do Mar Redondo”, the debut single, is proof of this.
In 2024, “Abril” will return to national stages, in an engaging show with arrangements and musical direction by pianist Ricardo Dias. Póvoa de Varzim, Vila Real, Covilhã, Grândola, Loulé (MED Festival) and Lisbon (São Luiz Municipal Theatre) were some of the venues that, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, have had the privilege of hosting this tribute to the repertoire of the singer-songwriter of Liberdade. A tour that will continue throughout 2025, with a highlight being the performance, in December, at the Casa da Música in Porto.
CRISTINA BRANCO CANTA JOSÉ AFONSO
The careful choice of songs on “Abril” is a reflection of Cristina Branco’s intense connection with José Afonso’s work. In concert, the singer revisits the album, including emblematic themes such as “Menino d’Oiro”, “Venham Mais Cinco”, “Redondo Vocábulo”, “A Morte Saiu à Rua” or “Índios da Meia Praia”. The single “Teresa Torga”, published in April 2025, is the latest and most vibrant expression of this project.
AMORAS NUMA TARDE DE OUTONO, WITH JOÃO PAULO ESTEVES DA SILVA
Cristina Branco and João Paulo Esteves da Silva brought together unique live experiences, seen and heard by distant audiences. This was the genesis of ‘Amoras numa Tarde de Outono’, an album that seeks to record, like a photographic document, the work the duo has been doing on stage for the last 20 years.
PRESS QUOTES
«You can listen to this record as if it were a ballet (…) The result is always surprising. And beautiful, it has to be said.« Time Out
«Cristina Branco’s new album is called “Mãe” (…) Once again, It is a diamond. (…) Branco returns to traditional fado and keeps what is fundamental: the truth.» Valter Hugo Mãe (writer), in Notícias Magazine
«When Cristina Branco chooses to, she is a stunning fadista. Just not an orthodox one.» Songlines
«It is perhaps her most emotionally profound album: Cristina Branco is back with “Mãe” (“Mother”) and penetrates the depths of human existence with her fado.» Hr2 kultur
«Magical music that reaches the heart!» Music
«A breathtaking musical masterpiece […] This album invites the listener on a journey of rediscovery and reinvention of Fado.» Rhein Main Magazine