Fortuna was born in the large Jewish community at São Paulo, Brazil, and reconnected with her religious and cultural roots during a visit to Israel. She is a devoted advocate of the Sephardic traditions that were once... more » found in Portugal and also throughout the Iberian peninsula, before Queen Isabella enacted the Inquisition and expelled the Jews and Moors from Spain. Fortuna is a queenly and theatrical figure, dark-haired and dressed in gold-embroidered velvets. She sings in Hebrew and in Ladino, an ancient Spanish-Jewish dialect, and her mezzo-soprano vocals are as sensual and perfumed as the material she sings. The album's title is taken from a Sephardic proverb, "Oh God, give me a bit of luck and throw me deep into the sea," a precognition of the Jews' ceaseless migrations in search of peace and safety. --Christina Roden« less
Fortuna was born in the large Jewish community at São Paulo, Brazil, and reconnected with her religious and cultural roots during a visit to Israel. She is a devoted advocate of the Sephardic traditions that were once found in Portugal and also throughout the Iberian peninsula, before Queen Isabella enacted the Inquisition and expelled the Jews and Moors from Spain. Fortuna is a queenly and theatrical figure, dark-haired and dressed in gold-embroidered velvets. She sings in Hebrew and in Ladino, an ancient Spanish-Jewish dialect, and her mezzo-soprano vocals are as sensual and perfumed as the material she sings. The album's title is taken from a Sephardic proverb, "Oh God, give me a bit of luck and throw me deep into the sea," a precognition of the Jews' ceaseless migrations in search of peace and safety. --Christina Roden
"Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic. The music transports you. As with many others, I stumbled on Fortuna following the inclusion of a selection of her music on a Putamuyo CD (Jewish Odyssey). Her rendition there of "Shalom Aleichem" was mesmerizing, the melody harkening back to primal roots, and it bid me to search out her work. Given the title of this work, MAZAL, which translates as 'luck', and its inclusion of "Shalom Aleichem," I took a chance first on this album. And with absolutely no regrets, I'd recommend you do the same."
Orchestral
Isho | New York, NY United States | 01/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this exotic music is combined by a masterful use of various instruments and fortunas magical voice.if oyu ever get a chance do not miss her concert - she will nock your socks off!"
It's wonderful!
Cristina Monteiro | Brazil | 03/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a huge Fortuna's fan since the first time I listened to her music. Her voice is pure magic and the songs' arrangements take you to somewhere else - I can bet it's to heaven. Don't think twice. Give a present to your soul and buy it now."
The enchantment of Fortuna
Dena Ivins | Atlanta, GA USA | 06/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fortuna's pure voice enthralls and subdues you in melodies both haunting and passionate. Timeless lyrics speak life's truths, uncomplicated by today's modern society. The songs and Fortuna's delivery are ART: beautiful, pleasureable, informative."