Antônio Carlos Gomes was a Brazilian composer born in Campinas, São Paulo, in 1836 who began his musical training in Brazil and continued studies in Italy, establishing his career as a composer of Romantic opera in the mid-19th century. His works blend the Italianate operatic tradition with themes and rhythms drawn from Brazilian folk sources, and his operas were performed in both Brazil and European venues, contributing to cultural exchange between Latin America and European musical centres.