The boundary-defying Trio Afiori brings together three of today’s most dynamic artists—clarinetist Anthony McGill, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, and pianist Gloria Chien—in a vivid exploration of bold storytelling, collaboration, music, and cultural heritage. The trio actively commissions and premieres works by today’s leading composers, including Valerie Coleman, Gabriel Kahane, Julia Adolphe, Alex Ho, and Kian Ravaei. Blending classical traditions with folk, jazz, and contemporary influences, the trio creates performances that are both intimate and daring, where new voices and timeless influences meet in conversation. Anthony McGill will doubtless be remembered by Schubert Club audiences for his well-received performances in 2022 with pianist Anna Polonsky.
For their International Artist Series debut performance, the trio has crafted a wide-ranging program that includes music by Florence Price, Johannes Brahms (arranged by Kian Ravaei), arrangements of Nina Simone songs, and a new work by Gabriel Kahane co-commissioned by Schubert Club.
Individual Bios:
Anthony McGill, principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, returns to the International Artist Series after a well-received recital in 2022 with pianist Anna Polonsky. McGill is celebrated for his “trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character” (The New York Times). A two-time Avery Fisher honoree and 2024 Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year, McGill has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Deeply committed to music education and social equity, he serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Grammy Award–winning mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron is acclaimed for her magnetic stage presence and deeply communicative artistry. Known for her genre-spanning repertoire, she regularly appears with leading orchestras and opera houses, including the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, Salzburg Festival and Aix-en-Provence Festival. A passionate curator and advocate for cross-cultural dialogue, the Singaporean-British artist draws on her multicultural upbringing across Asia, Europe, and North America to craft performances that bridge languages, eras, and traditions.
Gloria Chien, a Taiwanese-born pianist whose artistry and entrepreneurial spirit have earned her acclaim as both performer and leader. She has appeared as soloist and chamber musician at major venues including Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, and Taipei’s National Concert Hall. Chien serves as co-artistic of Chamber Music Northwest and Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, and is Artist-in-Residence at Lee University, combining her performance career with a deep commitment to fostering community through music.
