Chiquinha Gonzaga and the Musical Theatre

In this book, the author seeks to characterise Chiquinha Gonzaga’s (1847-1935) contribution to musical theatre through her compositions for plays premiered in Rio de Janeiro between 1900 and 1915. To this end, it presents data collected at the Moreira Salles Institute, in Rio de Janeiro, during the examination of scores (original manuscripts) of musical numbers composed by Chiquinha Gonzaga for the following plays: O Conto do Vigário, by Ernesto de Souza (1864-1928); Forrobodó, by Carlos Bettencourt (1890-1941) and Luiz Peixoto (1889-1973); Pudesse esta Paixão, by Álvaro Colás; Depois do Forrobodó, by Carlos Bettencourt and; A Sertaneja, by Viriato Corrêa (1884-1967). By reviewing the literature and consulting primary sources, it investigates the emergence of musical theatre in Rio de Janeiro and key facts from the life of Chiquinha Gonzaga, who was active in the musical life of Rio de Janeiro from the mid-19th century until the early 1930s, standing out as a theatrical composer. From a literature based on Augusto (2008) and Diniz (2009a), it seeks to focus on musical theatre at the time Chiquinha lived and her compositions for plays.