Ercilia Costa

**Ercilia Costa** was a trailblazing Portuguese fado singer whose emotive voice and passionate performances left a lasting mark on the genre during its early 20th-century golden age. Active in the 1920s and 1930s, she became known as “A Santa do Fado” (The Saint of Fado) for her soulful interpretations of Lisbon’s iconic musical tradition. Her collaborations with legendary guitarist Armandinho, showcased in recordings like *Arquivos do Fado*, cemented her status as a defining artist of the era. Tracks such as *Fado da Alfama* and *Memórias do Fado* highlight her ability to weave storytelling with the raw emotion of fado, often celebrating Lisbon’s working-class neighborhoods and themes of longing. Though less widely remembered today than later stars like Amália Rodrigues, Costa’s recordings preserved the raw, heartfelt spirit of early fado, making her a vital link in the genre’s rich history.

Genres

Fado

Latest Release

Fado da Alfama / A Desgarrada

Ercilia Costa

Single - Released June 26, 2019