Efe Kislali

Efe KISLALI was born in 1970 on the outskirts of Kocaeli, Turkey. He started his vocal training by taking private tutoring from renowned Bass Ayhan Baran.

KISLALI continued his musical study at the Istanbul University State Conservatory Opera where he was successfully graduated from in 1998 as a student of Soprano Güler Keskinkaya, with a master’s degree. During his studies at the conservatory, he also studied singing with Baritone Licinio Montefusco which continued until 2000. In 1995, while he was continuing his studies, he experienced his first professional singing success with his triumphant debut at the grand opening night of Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul as ASKER in U.Hacıbeyov's Arşın Mal Alan operetta which was followed by NEMORINO" in L'elisir D'amore in 1996. Same year he completed his studies, Efe KISLALI successfully joined the Istanbul State Opera as a chorister in 1998, and in the same year he made his debut as PEDRILLO in Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail. In 1999 he had his breakthrough as SAMSON by Camille Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila which shortly led KISLALI to become a soloist artist in 2000 at the Istanbul State Opera.

In 2003, KISLALI performed as DELI DUMRUL at Sabahattin Kalender’s Turkish opera Deli Dumrul’s World Premiere. His first appearance as OTELLO in Verdi’s Otello took place at Istanbul State Opera in 2006, this performance led to a two-minute ovation on the opening night. During his career, Efe KISLALI performed as OTELLO over hundred times.

In 2008, KISLALI made his first appearance as RAMADES in Verdi’s Aida at Riga National Opera, Riga and since then, he has interpreted the role RAMADES just over two hundred times. KISLALI debuted at Prague State Opera in 2008 as MANON LESCAUT at Puccini’s Des Grieux. In 2013, the artist was awarded as the "Most Successful Male Opera Singer of the Year" by Lions International Federation and earned his title as the "Best Male Opera Singer of the Year" by Semiha Berksoy Opera Foundation at the 2016-2017 Opera Awards.

On 29 October 2021 Efe KISLALI performed the role of SINAN in the World Premier of the composer Hasan Ucarsu’s SINAN, which was composed by a special request from the President of Turkey and was the opening act of Istanbul’s new State Opera building. Efe KISLALI’s latest operatic performance was RADAMES in Verdi’s AIDA as part of the Opening Week of the new State Opera building.