Chiquinha Gonzaga

Francisca Edwiges Neves Gonzaga (October 17, 1847, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — February 28, 1935, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), best known as Chiquinha Gonzaga, was a Brazilian composer, pianist and conductor. She was the first 'choro' pianist, author of the first carnival march ("Ó Abre Alas", 1899) and also the first woman to conduct an orchestra in Brazil. At a time when waltzes, polkas, and tangos prevailed in the elite musical scene in Brazil, Chiquinha incorporated in her compositions the diversity found in the music of the lower classes.