The Quintessence of
Turkish Art Music
Born in Istanbul in 1935, İnci Çayırlı stood as one of the most noble and technically profound voices in the history of Turkish Classical Music. Her journey began under the guidance of her uncle, composer Fahri Kopuz, leading her to the prestigious halls of the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory in 1953.
As a student of the legendary Münir Nurettin Selçuk, she didn't just perform music; she preserved it. In 1954, she joined TRT Istanbul Radio, marking the start of a decades-long career that would define the "Golden Era" of Turkish broadcasting.
In 1998, she was honored with the title of "State Artist" (Devlet Sanatçısı). Beyond her solo career, she was a pioneer—founding director of the Bursa State Turkish Classical Music Choir and a dedicated professor at Istanbul Technical University.
