[1][2][3] Falco's parents were employed at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon and encouraged her to follow an artistic career.

She first acted at the Teatro de São Carlos in scenes from Henrik Ibsen's play Norma or a Politician's Love.

[1][2][4][5] Falco then briefly moved to the D. Maria II National Theatre, before returning to the São Carlos, where she was hired as a chorus girl and, after a few months, entrusted with part of the second lady in the opera I Lombardi alla prima crociata by Giuseppe Verdi.

Her popularity in the role resulted in her staying at the São Carlos, until she decided to go to Portugal's second city, Porto, in 1858 where she rapidly developed a reputation as a singer in comic operas such as Fra Diavolo.

At the Theatro Lyrico Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro she was very popular and was invited by the company's owner to go to Buenos Aires and Montevideo, but she declined as she was homesick.