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Antonio Correa Braga was a Brazilian classical music composer who was born on August 15, 1868, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. He was the son of a Portuguese father and a Brazilian mother, and his family was musically inclined. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a singer. Braga's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began studying music at the age of six. Braga's early musical education was under the tutelage of his father, who taught him piano and music theory. He also studied with other prominent musicians in Rio de Janeiro, including Leopoldo Miguez and Francisco Braga, who were both composers and professors at the National Institute of Music. In 1886, Braga traveled to Europe to further his musical education. He studied in Paris with the renowned composer Jules Massenet and in Berlin with the composer and conductor Arthur Nikisch. During his time in Europe, Braga was exposed to the latest trends in classical music and developed his own unique style. Braga returned to Brazil in 1890 and began his career as a composer and conductor. He was appointed as the conductor of the National Institute of Music in Rio de Janeiro, a position he held for over 20 years. He also taught at the institute and mentored many young musicians who went on to become successful composers and performers. Braga's compositions were influenced by his Brazilian heritage and the European classical music tradition. He was particularly interested in incorporating Brazilian folk music into his compositions, and he often used rhythms and melodies from traditional Brazilian music in his works. One of Braga's most famous works is his opera "Jupyra," which premiered in Rio de Janeiro in 1899. The opera tells the story of a young indigenous woman who falls in love with a Portuguese sailor. The opera was well-received and helped establish Braga as one of Brazil's leading composers. Braga also composed many other works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, and songs. Some of his other notable works include the "Suite Brasileira," which features Brazilian folk melodies, and the "Sinfonia No. 2," which was inspired by the Brazilian landscape. In addition to his work as a composer, Braga was also a respected conductor. He conducted many orchestras in Brazil and Europe, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. Braga's contributions to Brazilian classical music were significant, and he was recognized for his achievements during his lifetime. He was awarded the Order of the Rose, one of Brazil's highest honors, in 1922. He also received the title of "Maestro Honoris Causa" from the National Institute of Music in 1938. Antonio Correa Braga passed away on March 20, 1945, in Rio de Janeiro. His legacy as a composer and conductor continues to be celebrated in Brazil and around the world. His works are still performed by orchestras and ensembles, and his influence on Brazilian classical music can still be heard in the works of contemporary composers.

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