Julea Zinaida

About

Zinaida Julea, born on December 2, 1951, in the village of Hîrbovăț, Anenii Noi district, is one of the most beloved folk music performers in the Republic of Moldova. Her career began at the age of 17, in 1968, when she was invited by maestro Serghei Lunchevici as a soloist of the "Fluieraș" folk music orchestra at the National Philharmonic in Chișinău, where she worked until 1991, participating in numerous international tours on almost all continents. She continued to collaborate with prestigious orchestras such as "Mugurel" led by Ion Dascăl, "Lăutarii" conducted by Nicolae Botgros, and currently, the Municipal Orchestra under the baton of brothers Vasile and Vitalie Advahov, performing a varied repertoire of doinas, ballads, romances, international hits, and wedding songs. Her artistic achievements have been recognized with multiple distinctions: the title of Merited Artist in 1976, People's Artist in 1985, the "Civic Merit" medal in 1993, and the Order of the Republic in 1997, also being declared an Honorary Citizen of Chișinău municipality. She released memorable albums such as "Lume, nu mă judeca," "Pe ulița satului," and "Pentru inima oricui," with popular songs like "Să audă toată Moldova," "Sârba de demult," or "De nuntă," performing alongside great artists such as Nicolae Sulac, Tudor Ciobanu, or Gheorghe Țopa. Her warm voice and versatility have carried the fame of Moldovan folk music to stages around the world, captivating souls with authentic emotion. Zinaida Julea's personal life was marked by a love for music passed down from her parents, her mother being a soloist in the village church choir. She was married to clarinetist Simion Brînzilă, whom she met in the "Fluieraș" orchestra, and together they had a daughter; unfortunately, her husband passed away prematurely when their daughter was one year and eight months old. The artist continues to be an active presence in the Moldovan cultural landscape, inspiring generations through her dedication to preserving folk traditions.