Luís Maria da Costa de Freitas Branco was a Portuguese composer, musicologist, and professor who influenced Portuguese music in the early 20th century. He was born in Lisbon into an aristocratic family with links to the royal family. Branco received a broad education and studied music abroad in Berlin and Paris, working with well-known composers like Engelbert Humperdinck. In 1916, Branco became a composition teacher at the Lisbon Conservatory of Music. He helped change how music was taught there and guided important students such as Joly Braga Santos. Although political problems in the 1930s caused him to retire in 1939, he remained active in music. After retiring, Branco focused on composing and studying early Portuguese music until he died at 65 in Lisbon. His work and commitment to preserving Portugal's musical traditions have made him an important figure in the country's cultural history. He left a lasting effect on Portuguese music through both his teaching and research.