Pianist Maggie Hinchliffe is passionate about storytelling through music. As a song pianist, Maggie has performed in festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and School, the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS), Songfest, and Source Song Festival. As a rehearsal pianist for operatic and musical productions, Maggie has payed Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with the Vanderbilt Opera Theater, Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice with the Eastman Opera Theater, among others.
We had the chance to ask a few questions (virtually!) to Maggie, the Music Director and Pianist performing in our upcoming production of La Bohème. Explore this fun Q&A below and get to know Maggie and a little more about one of the world’s most performed operas:
Q: What's your favorite moment in Bohème? Your favorite musical moment?
One of my favorite moments is in Act IV when Colline sings his “Coat Aria.” I find it especially poignant because he is the philosopher, so the decision to sell one of the only things he owns is a heavy one. This is also a great moment musically because there are very few arias in the opera, and Puccini only added it after the bass he was working with asked him to write it.
Q: How has the rehearsal period been for you? Rehearsing during the pandemic.
I feel very lucky to be part of this production, which will be my first performance in over eight months, and I am especially grateful to be performing with a wonderful group of vocalists. I never thought I would be meeting new collaborators during a global pandemic!
Q: What makes Bohème one of the most performed operas in the world?
I think Bohème is beloved because of its accessible music and story. Puccini wrote distinct musical themes for each character that you can follow throughout the score, and Giacosa and Illica’s libretto tells a timeless story about love and struggle that’s relatable even today. Many people don’t know that the rock musical, RENT, is based on this opera.
Q: Why do you think people should see this production?
The story of Bohème feels especially relevant today during the pandemic. Artists are struggling during a time of crisis. I think it is important to bring this into the community to remind others of why we have art: to help explain the world around us.
Q: What were you doing before the pandemic?
When the shutdowns began in March, I was finishing my master’s degree at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. A few of my final recitals were cancelled due to COVID safety protocols, but I graduated online and now have a Master of Music in Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music!
Q: What's your life been like during the pandemic, what have you been up to?
It’s been a whirlwind over the past eight months, as it has been for most other musicians in the country. I was supposed to attend summer festivals in NYC and Hawaii, so when those were cancelled due to the pandemic, I decided to head to Boulder from NY a little earlier than planned. I’m now freelancing in the community, working at the Boulder Philharmonic a bit, and teaching an online piano studio. Outside of music, I’ve been taking time to hike, run, write some poetry, and catch up on reading!
Q: What's your dream Opera?
I’ve been learning about contemporary opera and libretto writing recently, so I would love the opportunity to work with a composer and librettist duo sometime. I’m really interested in seeing the creative process of writing words and music, and contemporary opera is such a great way to analyze current events and present issues to the public.
Q: Feel free to explain anything else you want to.
Thank you to the director, stage director, the whole cast, and everyone else behind the scenes dedicated to the success and safety of this production!