Cristina Braga

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Cristina de Paula Fernandes Braga

Years Active

1992

Genres

brazilian popular music, classical music, instrumental

Instruments

harp, voice

Biography

Cristina de Paula Fernandes Braga was born in Rio de Janeiro on July 14, 1966. She is a renowned harpist, singer, and composer, recognized as a pioneer who elevated the status of the harp in Brazil by moving fluidly between popular music and classical music. Between 1993 and 2016, she served as the principal harpist of the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, consolidating a highly significant career on both symphonic and popular stages.

Throughout her career, she has built an extensive discography with over 17 released albums and was a member of the instrumental quintet Opus 5, with which she recorded internationally distributed albums. Her talent was recognized in 1992 when she won the Gold Medal competition at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and in subsequent years she participated in fundamental projects such as the Instrumental Songbook of Antônio Carlos Jobim, in addition to recording albums dedicated to Brazilian composers alongside musicians such as classical guitarist Marcus Llerena.

Her artistic versatility has allowed her to collaborate with various exponents of Brazilian music, accompanying renowned names in concerts and recordings such as Lenine, Titãs, Ana Carolina, Nara Leão, Ângela Maria, Moreira da Silva, Quarteto em Cy, and Zizi Possi. Cristina Braga also was a member of Grupo Bambu and skillfully navigates repertoires ranging from classical to traditional Christmas music, engaging with the work of historical figures such as Chiquinha Gonzaga.

Discography

• Cristina Braga, Marcus Llerena – Alianças (1996)
• Natal Brasileiro (1998)
• Marcelo Bomfim, Cristina Braga – Mais Perto Quero Estar (1999)
• Espelho D'água (2000)
• Harpa Brasileira (2004)
• Cortejo (2006)
• Cristina Braga e Eugene Friesen – Paisagem - Grandes Canções Brasileiras (2008)
• Remembering John (2010)
• Feito um Peixe (2010)
• Samba, Jazz And Love (2013)
• Cristina Braga & Brandenburger Symphoniker com Dado Villa-Lobos – Whisper (The Bossa Nova Brandenburg Concerto) (2015)
• Estão Voltando as Flores (Ao Vivo) (2025)
• Cristina Braga
• Feliz Natal - Clássicos Natalinos em Harpa