The ceremony took place on October 24, led by then-mayor Vítor Guerreiro and newly elected mayor Marlene Guerreiro, joined by Sulzer’s wife, Paula, two of his children, neighbours, friends and many members of the local community.
Born in 1938 in Leutkirch, Germany, Sulzer studied sacred music and worked for 15 years as an organist and church choir conductor in Weingarten. His career took him across several countries, founding and directing choral groups along the way. It was during his time leading the German School in Beja that he discovered Portugal, and later São Brás de Alportel, the place he chose for his retirement.
From 2002 onward, Sulzer poured his “time and talent” into the local community, entirely on a voluntary basis, the municipal council says. He strengthened cultural ties between the São Brás Municipal Library and the Ülm Public Library, donating hundreds of books and even a piano. He founded the Coro dos Amigos do Museu and the chamber group Canticorum, promoting Renaissance and Baroque music while introducing Portuguese repertoire to wider audiences.
Awarded the Municipal Insignia of Merit and Altruism in 2014, Sulzer became a cultural pillar of São Brás de Alportel, the council adds.
