Chiquinha Gonzaga

Chiquinha Gonzaga was a pioneering Brazilian composer, pianist, and conductor, widely recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of Brazilian music. Born in 1847, she broke numerous social and artistic barriers as a woman in the male-dominated music scene of 19th-century Brazil. She was the first woman in Brazil to conduct an orchestra and was instrumental in the development of popular Brazilian genres like choro and the carnival marchinha. Her music, full of rhythm and heart, blended classical influences with Afro-Brazilian rhythms, helping shape the sound of modern Brazilian music.

One of her most famous works is the song "Ó Abre Alas," written in 1899 for a carnival group—it's considered the first carnival march and remains a staple in Brazilian celebrations to this day. Beyond music, Chiquinha was also involved in the fight for women's rights and the abolition of slavery in Brazil. Her legacy lives on not just through her compositions, but also as a symbol of artistic and social courage.

Genres

Forro Tradicional

Related Artists

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Milton Nascimento

Luiz Gonzaga

Pixinguinha

Toquinho

Zequinha De Abreu

Sérgio Mendes

Maria Rita

Adriana Calcanhotto

Adoniran Barbosa

Cartola

Ernesto Nazareth

Latest Release

Lua Branca (Arr. for Violin and Piano by Esther Abrami)

Chiquinha Gonzaga•

Esther Abrami•

Kim Barbier

Single - Released April 11, 2025