Chiquinha Gonzaga

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Francisca Edviges Neves Gonzaga

Years Active

1877–1935

Genres

choro, MPB, maxixe, polca, marchinha

Instruments

piano, keyboard

Biography

Chiquinha Gonzaga was a pioneering Brazilian composer, instrumentalist, conductor, and abolitionist. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she broke numerous barriers during her lifetime, becoming the first female choro pianist, the composer of the first carnival march "Ó Abre Alas", and the first woman to conduct a popular orchestra in Brazil. Her musical style blended European elite genres with the rich rhythmic diversity of lower-class popular music, laying foundational work for Brazilian popular music.

Beyond her remarkable musical achievements, she was deeply committed to social justice. A granddaughter of an enslaved woman, she actively participated in the abolitionist movement, using her earnings from music to support emancipation causes and buy the freedom of enslaved individuals. Later in life, she also spearheaded the fight for intellectual property rights, helping found the Brazilian Society of Theatre Authors to protect the rights of composers and playwrights.

Her legacy endures as a towering figure in Brazilian culture, celebrated through her extensive body of work and cultural homages, including the establishment of the National Day of Brazilian Popular Music on her birthday. She shared artistic spaces and professional milestones with prominent figures of her era, such as Joaquim Callado and Carlos Gomes, cementing her status as an immortal icon of Brazilian musical history.

Discography

• Chiquinha Gonzaga, Rosamaria Murtinho – O Abre Alas - 150 Anos de Chiquinha Gonzaga (1998)