Chiquinha Gonzaga

Francisca Edwiges Neves Gonzaga

["Composer", "Pianist", "Conductor", "Abolitionist"]

Born Oct 17, 1847

Rio de Janeiro, Empire of Brazil

Passed Away Feb 28, 1935 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Lifespan 87 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Music was my sanctuary and my weapon of freedom against slavery and patriarchal convention."

Archival Overview

Afro-Brazilian composer, pianist, and conductor who became the first female orchestral conductor in Brazil, composed the first carnival march (O Abre Alas), and founded Brazil's society of theatrical authors.

Biographical Record

The daughter of an enslaved Black woman and an aristocratic military officer, Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847–1935) scandalized imperial society by abandoning an arranged marriage to pursue music. In 1885, she became the first woman in South America to conduct a symphony orchestra.

In 1899, Gonzaga composed 'O Abre Alas', creating the carnival march (marchinha) genre. A fierce abolitionist who bought the freedom of enslaved people with sheet music sales, she founded SBAT (Brazilian Society of Theatrical Authors) in 1917 to protect artistic copyrights.

Key Life Milestones

1899

Composition of 'O Abre Alas'

Composed the historic first Brazilian carnival march, establishing the musical foundation of Carnival.

1917

Founding of SBAT

Established the Brazilian Society of Theatrical Authors, creating Brazil's first artistic copyright protections.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Sao Francisco de Paula Cemetery (Catumbi)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

                         GPS: -22.9189, -43.1972                    

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