Zulal: Triangle of voices sounding like an orchestra

Boston-based Zulal Trio, which performs Armenian folk music, gave a press conference at TUMO educational center in Yerevan on July 13.   

On July 17, at 7 pm, Zulal will give a concert at the Chamber Music House. It will perform at least 20 folk compositions thoroughly selected from their own three albums.      

Those wishing to attend the Zulal concert are much more than the Chamber Music House can accommodate. Therefore, a decision was taken to hold one more performance on July 16.   

Zulal Trio was created 14 years ago. The trio has performed in a variety of countries, including Canada, Germany, the United States, etc., where their audience comprised people of various nationalities. In Armenia they will present fold songs in their unique arrangement for the first time.   

The members of Zulal Trio compare their story with a novel. They believe that they were born to perform together. The trio's harmony reflects the spirit of ancient Armenia.

Their triangle of voices performs a cappella but they sound like an entire orchestra.      

Following the press conference, the trio held a master class for the students of the educational center.

In Armenian, zulal means "clear water." Zulal, the a cappella trio, takes Armenia's village folk melodies and weaves intricate arrangements that pay tribute to the rural roots of the music while introducing a sophisticated lyricism and energy.  Zulal's singers, Teni Apelian, Yeraz Markarian, and Anais Tekerian, have been singing together since 2002. The trio has performed in such esteemed venues as the Getty Museum, Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage and New York's Symphony Space, along with performances for Cirque du Soleil and the Silk Road Project.  Additionally, the trio has scored the film Stone Time Touch and has three critically acclaimed albums to its credit.

In spring 2017, Zulal is going to present the Armenian culture to 7000 children at the Musical Explorers event at Carnegie Hall.