The Istanbul University State Conservatory (Turkish: ðstanbul ÃÂniversitesi Devlet Konservatuarñ) is a public conservatory affiliated with Istanbul University, specializing in music, theatre, and dance, located in Istanbul. It is recognized as the oldest conservatory and the oldest continuously operating music school in Turkey. The university provides music training from secondary school levels up to doctoral studies. Its main building, situated in Kadñköy, is a historical market hall, with the ground floor currently functioning as an active theatre venue.
The State Conservatory has its beginnings in its later sister institution, Darülbedayi (English: House of Beauty). In 1914, Cemil Topuzlu embarked on an enterprise to establish the imperial school of drama and music, and French actor André Antoine was invited to Istanbul for this purpose. In its initial structure, Darülbedayi would teach performing arts and stage music, as well as European and Turkish music in their respective departments. The institution thus founded, its premises was initially going to be the famous Letafet Apartmanñ, a now demolished fin de siècle housing structure. However, with World War I breaking out before its inauguration ceremony, the institution would go on an indefinite hiatus and was shut down entirely by 1916.
Plans were made to revitalise the institution and establish a new and independent music school. They would materialise in New Year's Day 1917 as the Darülelhan (English: House of Melodies), a four-year academy that focused mainly on Turkish music.
Following the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Darülelhan would go on a period of restructuring, and would be renamed the Istanbul Conservatory, after the addition of a European-style music department. By the late 1920s, the school was teaching solfège, music theory, harmony, composition, instrumentation and orchestration, music history and instrumental training, among other skills.
In these early years, lectures were given in the wooden townhouse that served as the schoolhouse. Performances by the three-piece chamber orchestra started by Cemal Reà Âit Rey, a member of the later Turkish Five, would go on to be quite popular.
By the early 1950s, a performing arts department was established, and director Muhsin ErtuÃÂrul began his career at the conservatory as a teacher.
In 1986, the conservatory became a school within Istanbul University.
Since its establishment in the late 19th century, the conservatory has produced a prestigious roster of graduates and faculty members, including all of the members of the Turkish Five: Ahmed Adnan Saygun, Cemal Reà Âit Rey, Ulvi Cemal Erkin, Hasan Ferit Alnar and Necil Kazñm Akses. The legendary soprano Leyla Gencer also received her voice training at this conservatory. Among the notable alumni are Ahmet Rñfat à Âungar, Ali Güven, Ali ðl, Alican Yücesoy, Aslñ Yñlmaz, Atñlgan Gümüà Â, Aysun Metiner, Ayà Âen ÃÂetiner, Ari Barokas, Boran Kuzum, Bennu Yñldñrñmlar, Buket Bengisu, Can Baà Âak, Can DoÃÂan, Caner ÃÂzyurtlu, Cemal Toktaà Â, Cenk Tunalñ, Derya Kurtuluà Â, DoÃÂan Duru, Engin Gürkey, Ferhat Göçer, Feyzan Soykan, Fikret Kuà Âkan, Fora Baltacñgil, GöktuàAlpaà Âar, Gülen Karaman, à Âencan Güleryüz, Güneà  BerberoÃÂlu, Güneà  Duru, ðpek Erdem, Jülide Kural, Kemal Kocatürk, Kosta Kortidis, Levent Yüksel, Memet Ali Alabora, Mine Tugay, Nejat Birecik, Nihal Yalçñn, Okan Yalabñk, Oktay Kaynarca, Olgun à Âimà Âek, Peker Açñkalñn, Selim ErdoÃÂan, Serkan Ercan, Sevda Karababa, Sevgi Sakarya, Taner Ertürkler, Taner ÃÂlmez, Tufan Karabulut, Uzay Heparñ, UÃÂur Polat, Yeà Âim Alñç, Yeà Âim Koçak, Yñldñz Asyalñ, Sanem ÃÂelik, ÃÂykü Karayel, ÃÂzden Ayyñldñz, ÃÂzge Borak, ÃÂzgü Namal and Banu KñrbaÃÂ.