The Local Council of Oradea has decided to award posthumously the title of Honorary Citizen to the famous conductor Ervin Acel. The prize comes as recognition of the maestro’s almost 40 years of laborious activity as conductor and professor . It also means the recognition of Ervin Acel’s life-long artistic efforts to promote the values of Oradea’s musical life. The title will be presented to the maestro’s family on 31^st January 2008.

Ervin Acel was born in 1935 in Timisoara. He studied orchestra conducting at the Music Academies in Cluj and Bucharest. After finishing his studies, he participated in a conductor training master course organized by the Dutch Radio Broadcasting Company. In 1971, he started his international career , conducting in different European countries, in North and South America, and also in Japan.. Between 1960-1963 he was chief conductor of the Botosani Philharmonic Orchestra. The following 28 years, he was chief conductor of the Oradea State Philharmonic Orchestra. Parallel to this, he was made Music Director of the State Opera House in Istanbul for two years.

Besides his activity as musician, Ervin Acel was an appreciated pedagogue. He taught conducting at the Ottorino Respighi Music Academy in Rome, and in 1992 was professor at the Szeged Conservatory of Music . Between 1991-1999 he was appointed chief conductor of the Szeged Symphony Orchestra and also directed several opera performances at the National Theatre in Szeged.

Ervin Acel’s vast activity as conductor can be found on more than 40 recordings.

In 1998 he was awarded the Sebetia Ter Prize in Italy.

In 1996 he started teaching conducting at the Wienna Music Academy

In 1999 the maestro returned to the Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra , where he became its chief conductor, a post he retained until his death in 2006.

On the occasion of his 70^th birthday anniversary and 40 years of prodigious conducting career, maestro Ervin Acel was personally presented Oradea’s ‘Pro Meritis’ Culture Prize .