Voices Unveiled is a Bilingual three-part original musical composition by Ehsan Matoori, blending Iranian traditional and folk music, particularly from the South of Iran, with modern fusion elements. The work features the powerful voices of two Iranian female vocalists, Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris, and gives space to stories that are often silenced.
The composition follows the emotional journeys of two women seeking freedom, identity, and self-expression beyond the constraints imposed on them.
Launched in February 2023, Voices Unveiled has been performed over 40 times across North America, reaching more than 15,000 audience members. Signature pieces such as Ashireh, Darya, Moon’s Hiding, and Freedom Story have resonated deeply with listeners and were widely praised. Across all performances, the project has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from diverse audiences and communities.
In recognition of its artistic and cultural impact, Voices Unveiled was awarded the New Music USA 2023 Award. The project continues to tour internationally and will remain on stage through the end of 2025, bringing these powerful stories and voices to the world.
In part one, (Vocals: Maliheh Moradi), the music depicts the story of an Iranian woman who fled Iran after she was imprisoned and tortured for removing and burning her head scarf and participating in anti-government protests. She gets brutally raped and beaten to death in the rainy and cold forest of Eastern Europe. Part two (Vocals: Mina Deris), recounts the story of a woman from the southern tribes of Iran who is chosen to be scarified as part of the Cease Blood (“Faslieh” in Arabic; “Khoon Bas” in Farsi) custom. She leaves the country in hopes of reuniting with her lover outside the country. Despite crossing the ocean and seemingly making it to the shore, delirious from hypothermia, hallucinating her lover, she mistakenly shows the secret hand sign she had with her lover instead of the sign she was supposed to show to signal her refugee status and get shot in the heart. Shocked by the shot, she starts to dance, as if her frantic movements can relieve the pain. The music then continues by a prelude where the two women meet each other, not knowing that they are both dead. In part three, despite the deep mourning, the two women find hope, rebirth, love, and eternity through their voices.
Ehsan Matoori: Composer, producer, and founder of Voices Unveiled. Ehsan is an internationally acclaimed musician known for blending traditional Persian melodies with modern influences.
Maliheh Moradi: Renowned vocalist celebrated for her mastery of Persian classical singing.
Mina Deris: Acclaimed vocalist with a distinctive style that bridges traditional and contemporary Persian music.
