Chiquinha Gonzaga had a lot of firsts. She was very likely the first successful female composer in Brazil. She got the first legal divorce in Brazil, from her abusive husband. Her music was popular because she took popular themes from "common" people - like her contemporaries Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Greig.
I'd never run across her before, but that's probably because I've never been to Carnival in Rio.
Sunday Music Class -- back in session! Yay!!
ReplyDeleteOff to Amazon to find more.