Chiquinha Gonzaga

Lore & Background

Chiquinha Gonzaga was born in Rio de Janeiro to a pardo mother and a wealthy white father who later became a marshal. Her godfather was Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias. She was well educated, learning to read, write, do maths, and play the piano. At age 11, she composed her first work, 'Canção dos Pastores', for a Christmas celebration. Unable to withstand his abuse and opposition to her musical career, she left him and asked for divorce, a scandal at the time. She took her eldest son, João Gualberto, but lost custody of her other two children. To avoid scandal, she adopted him as a son and they lived together in Lisbon for several years before returning to Brazil.

Reader's Guide

Chiquinha Gonzaga's significance lies in her role as a pioneering female musician in 19th-century Brazil, a society that restricted women's independence. She broke barriers by becoming the first woman conductor in Brazil and the first pianist of choro, a genre then dominated by men. Despite personal hardships—including divorce, loss of custody of her children, and societal criticism—she sustained a successful career and influenced later generations of Brazilian musicians.

Did You Know?

• Chiquinha Gonzaga was the first woman conductor in Brazil.