Antônio Francisco Braga studied with Luiz António de Moura and Carlos de Mesquita. In 1886 he founded the Sociedade de Concertos Populares. As the Brazilian Republic was declared in 1889, his composition Hino à bandeira was adopted as the Brazilian National Anthem. Starting in 1890 Antônio Francisco Braga studied at the Conservatoire in Paris with Jules Massenet. After that he spent time both in Germany and in Italy and then returned to Brazil in 1900. Upon his return to Brazil, Antônio Francisco Braga taught at the Instituto Nacional de Música and was the conductor of the Sociedade de Concertos Sinfonicos between 1908 and 1933.
Antônio Francisco Braga composed three Operas and produced orchestral pieces, chamber music, piano pieces and many songs.