Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847 - 1935) Brazil

Composer, pianist, and the first female orchestra conductor in Brazil. She used elements of popular culture in her music, which was warmly received by the public. Chiquinha lived as an independent musician, playing piano in musical instrument stores. She took piano lessons to support herself and her son, João Gualberto, despite the criticism from society for raising her son without a husband.

Here's her work, Atraente, Chiquinha's first hit, making her Brazil's leading popular composer. The link to download the sheet music is below.

https://imslp.org/wiki/Atraente_(Gonzaga%2C_Chiquinha)

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After the success of her first published work, she began writing operettas, A Corte na Roça in 1885 and Forrobodó in 1911 - which reached 1,500 performances after its premiere - Juriti in 1919 and the opera María in 1934, her last composition at the age of 87.

Next up is "Lua Branca," a song from the operetta "Forrobodó." Download the sheet music below.

https://imslp.org/wiki/Lua_Branca_(Gonzaga%2C_Chiquinha)

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Despite Chiquinha's fame, she was widely criticized by contemporary society. In 1914, during the premiere of "Corta Jaca" at the presidential palace, the first lady joined Chiquinha on the guitar, playing a fragment of a song. This episode was considered a scandal at the time, as playing Brazilian popular music in the government palace—music whose origins lay in "vulgar" dances—was considered a violation of protocol, sparking controversy in the highest echelons of society and politics.

Here is her work Suspiro and the link to download the score.

https://imslp.org/wiki/Sospiro_(Gonzaga%2C_Chiquinha)